with whom do you feel seen?
who makes you feel seen?

no, like actually.

who is that person you don’t feel the need to prove anything to.
to convince them you’re valuable.
to pretend to be something you’re not.

who do you go to when the world feels heavy?
when you just want to be heard, not interrupted.
understood, without having to overexplain yourself.

it’s the people who see the pretty soul in you.
who notice how kind you are to the world.
how you see little details without pointing them out.
how you listen and don’t interrupt.
how gently you treat animals.
how you leave the last piece of bread for someone else.
how beautiful your soul truly is.

how many people like that do you know?

who wouldn’t judge you.
who you could be 200% yourself with.
who you wouldn’t have to perform for.

only a few, right?
yeah. me too.

those are the people i love.
the people i trust.
the people i tell my secrets to.

for me, it’s my family — especially my mom.
she just sees me. she knows everything just by looking at my face.

it’s my best friends, the ones i grew up with.
sharing our struggles, trying to figure life out together.

it’s my mentor, who i deeply look up to.
he always reassures me, makes me feel valued, makes everything feel lighter.
it’s actually him, who inspired me to write this today.

it’s my host family, who helped me realize things about myself i never noticed before.

and lastly, it’s the person i imagine my future with.
the kind of love you only get to experience for a limited time.
the kind you value so deeply it almost hurts.
the kind you feel grateful for, even knowing it will eventually have to end.
the kind where it feels like it’s only the two of you, and the rest of the world fades away.
real. pure. uncomplicated. true love.

if you noticed, it’s always the people i don’t have to perform for.
the ones who sit with me and listen.
the ones who never rush me.
the ones who try to understand — even when they don’t fully know how.

that’s who i try to be, too.

i once read an incredible book called Tuesdays with Morrie, and two quotes stayed with me ever since:

“when people talk, listen completely. most people never listen.”

“when morrie was with you, he was really with you. he looked you straight in the eye, and he listened as if you were the only person in the world.”

that’s who i want to be.
someone who is fully present.
someone who listens — really listens.

so if you ever feel unseen by some people, remember this:
there are a few out there who will truly see the real you.

and when you find them,
never let them go ♡

love,
hana