This is such an insightful post, Evelyn, and beautiful written. I started out skimming it, but quickly realized it was one for slower digestion. So many thoughtful reflections and great lines. Like this one:
"It feels like empathy, but functions as avoidance."
That's pervasive on different levels and in different contexts, isn't it?
Thank you for your comment. I am glad the piece speaks to you.
I do believe a type of false empathy is pervasive, as you mention, and falls into the realm of what many people call “gaslighting,” although I resist using such a popular term.
There is a performance aspect to many relational encounters all too often in our modern world. It seems embedded in modern Western life. I believe it is highly impacted by the lack of time we have for each other. Our dwindling time, patience and ability to simply “be with” cuts into the genuineness relationships need to preserve actual empathy.
There is so much value in this article. Thank you for writing it. Let's hope we can all move beyond coasting.
This is such an insightful post, Evelyn, and beautiful written. I started out skimming it, but quickly realized it was one for slower digestion. So many thoughtful reflections and great lines. Like this one:
"It feels like empathy, but functions as avoidance."
That's pervasive on different levels and in different contexts, isn't it?
Thank you for sharing your observations.
Thank you for your comment. I am glad the piece speaks to you.
I do believe a type of false empathy is pervasive, as you mention, and falls into the realm of what many people call “gaslighting,” although I resist using such a popular term.
There is a performance aspect to many relational encounters all too often in our modern world. It seems embedded in modern Western life. I believe it is highly impacted by the lack of time we have for each other. Our dwindling time, patience and ability to simply “be with” cuts into the genuineness relationships need to preserve actual empathy.