We All Need To Be Seen

We all need to be seen (Hand lettered by Emily PG Erickson)

I’ve started a new practice.

It’s a Google doc called “Praise and Positive Feedback for Words by Emily.” I have a tendency to not take praise and positive feedback to heart. This doc is an effort to combat that. (For the record, it doesn’t erase negative self talk and doubt, but it does help.)

I shared this in my stories the other day, and I was floored at how many of you DMed me sharing that you already do the same thing. I have two take-aways from those DMs.

First, please tell me any other awesome strategies like this I may be missing out on! What other tricks do you use to make your life better?

Second, I’ve had some great conversations with you about this practice and the need for it. One was with @bridgetmakesstuff. She observed, “It’s so much harder to get that feedback outside of the context of a 9-5.” I feel this 100%.

It’s not only about gathering positive nuggets about myself.

It’s about logging a reaction.

It’s about gathering evidence that I exist.

That I am seen.

Published by Emily P.G. Erickson

Emily P.G. Erickson is a freelance writer specializing in mental health and parenting. She has written for top digital publications, including The New York Times, American Psychological Association, Wired, Health, Parents, Everyday Health, Verywell Mind, and more. Emily is a professional member of the National Association of Science Writers (NASW), the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), and the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ). Previously, Emily researched PTSD for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and earned a master's in counseling psychology. You can find the latest from Emily at www.emilypgerickson.com.

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