We Listen & Don't Judge Trend

There is a new internet trend, “we listen; we don’t judge.”  I have seen its videos, and they are cute. A group or couple says we listen; we don’t judge, while each recites a belief that may not be the social norm. I have laughed at the funnier ones.  It is one of the few trends that doesn’t bother me. 

Felicia & Rajah

   There was a thread on threads for Black women; we listened, and we didn’t judge. I read the entire thread.  I have never in my life felt understood, seen, or included. I truly wanted to include a link to the thread, I apologize I can’t find the exact link. 

  This thread included black women sharing with other black women in a judgment-free zone. I LOVED IT. I loved it so much that I tried to find it, I wouldn’t say I liked the post.  A search took me to so many threads that weren’t as encouraging, some disturbing.  

   The post I loved included statements of women who skip the aisle in the grocery store with people and go back later.  Occasionally, I have had to go to a different store because I forget to return to the aisle or it never evacuated. Another entry: a woman cancels plans to sit at home and do nothing.  I have a whole day of the week assigned to doing nothing at home. For sanity's sake, Saturday is off-limits to the public at my house. My husband and I don’t leave the house. We limit calls/texts.  We hang out and shake off people ick. 

  I realized I was not the only socially awkward, exhausted old lady. Maybe it’s due to my race? It could be my age.  Is it possibly the way the world is today? Who knows? It may be all of the above or none.  I do know that for the half of an hour that I was reading, I realized truly, for the first time, I am ok. There is nothing weird or unusual about me. 

 The way I look at things can be unsettling to some. My opinion and experience may unsettle others. I don’t care. I am loved, and I love. I am not alone.