I was playing basketball today when I had a thought, a mini-epiphany of sorts. I know I’m not the most emotionally in-tune person. A lot of times when I could be more considerate or understanding, it just goes over my head. I’m not intentionally being inconsiderate or not caring, I just simply don’t pick up on it.
Personally, I have very simple needs, and when those needs are met (good food, good rest, doing what I love, being in the presence of loved ones), then I’m a happy camper. But on the flip side, I tend to forget that everyone is different personality-wise, and I need to be more aware of that.
So my mid-year resolution is to work on this aspect of myself. Nothing too drastic, just taking more time to think about others and how they’re feeling and responding, and reaching out more to people in general. No promises, but I think a good starting point is to pinpoint the issue and to start thinking more actively about it.
An important note to self: working on this doesn’t imply changing the core of who I am. At the end of the day, I’m still me, and if I try to be someone I’m not, it’ll hurt more than help. So again, small steps. Now that I have this written down, hopefully I’ll be more serious about trying to follow through.
ISTP working on the Fe at randomtidbitsofthought.wordpress.com.
Just came across your blog and read most of the top posts. I like it so far and im not much of a blog guy. But for this post, could you give an example or two of instances of how you currently behave in a situation and how your mid year resolution would make that situation different?
Glad you enjoy my blog, and thanks for stopping by to read! Sure, I’ll try to give a couple of good examples.
1. I’m an in-the-moment type of guy. If I’m not interacting with a person face-to-face or don’t talk to that person in a while, I tend to forget to contact them. No bitter feelings, grudges, or avoidance tactics. That person is just not in my thoughts, at least until the next time I see him/her. So based on my resolution, I’ll try to make a better effort at keeping in touch with friends and family – whether it’s through text, email, FB, chat, etc.
2. I’m much better at sympathizing than I am at empathizing. I tend to understand someone else’s pain only when I’ve gone through something similar myself. Now I’m not sure how exactly my resolution would make the situation different, but I suppose if I put more effort into thinking about how others may be feeling at a particular point in time, it’ll help me to be more understanding and considerate towards them.