We All Care About Feelings

Who Cares About Feelings?

Everyone – you, me, our friends, family, and so many others. We all have feelings and we all care about them whether we realize it or not. We care about other people’s feelings too, especially those we love. Sometimes, we may just not always know how to react to them.

Why Do We Care About Feelings?

Our feelings shape us the way we think, act and speak. They play a big role in our lives, guiding our connections and relationships with others. They are important and deserve to be cared for.

When We Seem Not to Care About Our Feelings

I’ve noticed many times when I ask someone “How are you?”, they take a deep breath, force a smile and say “I’m good! How about you?” It often feels like they were hiding their feelings or pushing them away. 

Unfortunately, many of us have become really good at putting our feelings aside, especially the heavy or painful ones that sink deep inside us.

But does that mean we don’t care about our feelings?

I don’t think so. We may not open up to everyone, and that’s completely okay. But we need to keep in mind that ignoring our feelings doesn’t make them disappear.

Some of the feelings involving emotions like joy, sadness, excitement, and frustration all need space to be felt and shared – that’s how they soften and move through us.

The more we push them away, the heavier they become. And one day, they’ll find a way out – sometimes all at once.

When It Feels Like People Don’t Care About Our Feelings

It happens quite often when you share your story or your feelings to someone you love or trust, and they respond with things like: 

“You think too much.” 

“Just forget about it.”

“Why don’t you do this instead?”

“You shouldn’t worry about that – it’s not a big deal.”

“Be strong, you will be fine.”

And yet, you still feel that knot in your stomach and heaviness inside your chest.. 

That’s because deep down, you still feel that your true story, your real feelings, haven’t been heard or understood. It can feel like people are pushing your feelings aside or ignoring them. You may start to believe that they don’t care about how you feel at all. 

Maybe People Care More Than We Think

The truth is, people do care about feelings but many of them don’t really know how to care for their own feelings. So, they just put them aside, hoping to deal with them later – a bit like emotional procrastination.

And what about when they are listening to our story, do they care?
Yes – they often do. The people who listen to us usually care about how we feel. 

They may just not know how to show it. Sometimes, we want them to know that it can simply start with being present and truly listening.