Monday 19 January
Mindful Monday - open call
Since moving to Cape Town, I’ve noticed something: when I genuinely ask someone I don’t know, “How are you doing?”, and follow up with one or two simple questions, they often start talking like they’ve never really been asked before. It’s as if a pressure cooker releases, and everything they’ve been holding inside comes pouring out. And mind you, I’m not asking anything deep, just simple curiosity, a moment of real attention.
It made me realize that, for many of us, we rarely have someone who truly connects with us beyond the everyday “How are you?” In that moment, we might be going through heartbreak, a big life change, a career transition, or even feeling depressed, stuck, not like yourself, unsure, not sleeping well, or unsatisfied with where we are in life.
But instead of sharing how we really feel, we often answer with “I’m good” or “I’m well,” putting up a front, trying to show that we’re doing better than we really are. Sometimes, that’s fine, there are moments when we simply don’t want to talk, but other times, hiding what’s really going on can leave us feeling alone. It can stir up shame, guilt, or the nagging question: is something wrong with me?
And that’s why those small moments of genuine connection matter so much. Just a few minutes of someone actually listening can lift a weight we didn’t even realize we were carrying. It’s a reminder that we’re not alone in what we’re feeling, and sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
