The Caring Counselor

If you know me personally, you know that I am very much so a straight shooter. I tell it like it is. It gets me in trouble, especially when my filter is completely removed.

However, in my experience, beating around the bush doesn’t get you anywhere. You just end up chasing your tail in circles. I find that having difficult conversations opens the doors for progress.

I bring this up now because I am personally dealing with FOUR situations in the last two weeks. All of them share the same theme. These are individuals whom I’ve either known for a long time (15-20 years) or people I’ve made my expectations clear from day one. The expectation that if you have an issue of any kind with me, please bring it to my attention.

As long as someone provides valid points, I gladly accept the feedback. Surprisingly, I’m FAR from perfect. I’ll take constructive criticism to become a better version of myself.  I can’t do that unless you tell me, though.

I’d like to add that in three of these incidents, the timeline drug on for months to years. Nobody approached me once about the conflict, even after a couple of attempts by me. One conversation could’ve likely resolved to each one of these events. Instead, feelings of sadness, disappointment, guilt, anxiety, and shame lingered in limbo. Relationships could’ve been salvaged, but they crumbled.

I do know that this habit of avoidance is becoming more rampant. Stop ghosting. Don’t avoid. Don’t be a bitch. Confront it like an adult. People will respect you, and it could save you a lot of headaches.

The Caring Counselor