I have realized that when I feel misunderstood, what I am really feeling is the weight of not being seen—not fully, not deeply. It’s a longing I know many of us share, the desire to be understood, to be safe in the presence of another. But what I’ve come to realize is that this longing often reflects an even deeper truth: the need to be seen by myself.
How can I expect another to see me when I struggle to fully see myself? How can I ask for safety when I have not yet created that sanctuary within? These are the questions that have shaped my journey of healing and self-liberation.
I recently asked myself, “Where do I still fail to acknowledge my emotions, my essence, my inner child?” The answer was uncomfortable but clear: there are parts of me I overlook, feelings I avoid, and wounds I distract myself from. And the truth is, until I hold space for all of these parts, I cannot truly connect with myself—or with anyone else.
This path of healing feels narrow, sometimes even lonely. It is not a path many will walk alongside us. But it is mine to walk. And in walking it, I see that my greatest protector, my deepest connection, and my truest guide must come from within.
I’ve noticed how easily I focus outward. It’s easier to see the actions of others than to sit with my own emotions. For example, I’ve often found myself asking others, “Why don’t you understand me? Why don’t you see me?” when the real question is: “Where am I not understanding myself? Where am I failing to see my own truth?”
The truth is, the world mirrors our inner state. When I feel unseen, it’s an invitation to look inward. When I feel disconnected, it’s a call to reconnect with myself.
This isn’t easy work. It requires honesty. It asks me to sit with the discomfort of my fears, my disappointments, and my unmet needs. It asks me to stop looking outside for safety and instead turn inward, to create that safety within.
I am learning that seeing myself means allowing all of me to exist—the vulnerable child, the wise observer, the healer, the seeker. It means asking myself not just, “What happened?” but also, “How do I feel about it?” It means holding my inner child’s hand as she walks through the dangerous streets of my memories, whispering, “I see you, and I am here.”
The more I see myself, the more I can offer the connection and safety I’ve always longed for. And from that place, I can open my heart to others without fear, without anger, without the walls I’ve built to protect myself.
This is the work of healing. It’s not about fixing what’s broken—it’s about loving what’s wounded, seeing what’s been hidden, and becoming whole. It’s about creating a sanctuary within, where I can rest in my own arms and feel safe.
I share this because I know many of you are walking this path too. If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unsafe, know that the journey inward is where you’ll find what you’ve been searching for. The connection you long for begins with you.
So today, I invite you to ask yourself: “Where am I not seeing myself? Where am I not feeling my own emotions? Where am I not offering myself the safety I need?”
The answers may be hard to face, but they hold the key to your liberation. And as you begin to see yourself more clearly, you’ll find that the world mirrors that vision back to you in the most beautiful ways.
This path is yours, and it is sacred. Walk it with courage, with love, and with the knowing that everything you need is already within you.
With love,
Katiana
Comments