265 When the Dogs Stop Saying Hi: The Human Need for Connection and Belonging

When the Dogs Stop Saying Hi: The Human Need for Connection and Belonging

Patricia (she/her) explores the complexities of community, being perceived, and the challenges of navigating relationships amidst misunderstandings and cancel culture. She shares personal experiences of rupture and repair within her community, reflecting on the emotional impact of feeling excluded and the importance of acknowledging one's behavior in relationships. Patricia also highlights the simultaneous beauty of connections and celebrations, even amidst challenges, emphasizing the need for self-acceptance and understanding in the face of adversity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

·       The emotional toll of being perceived in a way that doesn't match how we see ourselves

·       Owning mistakes and navigating the possibility of repair (even when others might not be open)

·       The pain of being excluded from community events and how rejection sensitivity & OCD can flare

·       Mixed emotions around her birthday — feeling both unseen by some and deeply loved by others

·       The balance between taking accountability and resisting self-abandonment

·       Practices of self-compassion when reassurance doesn't come from others

·       What happens when justice, fragility, and nuance collide in relationships

·       Her growing love of animals, volunteering with hor