True North Thoughts

Tag: communication

  • The Difference And What It Taught Me

    I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between knowing someone and treating them well.

    Sometimes people stay connected out of habit—history, routine, shared chapters—and we call that closeness. But real closeness isn’t access. It isn’t constant contact. It’s respect, awareness, and the ability to show up without making the other person carry your weight on top of their own.

    I’ve also learned that not all disrespect is loud. A lot of it shows up quietly: assumptions, one-size-fits-all advice, and comparisons nobody asked for. The kind of talk that sounds harmless if you’ve never had to grind for stability—if you’ve never had to think through consequences, tradeoffs, and the long game just to keep life steady. Over time, that creates distance, because one person feels understood and the other feels managed.

    I don’t need anyone to fix my life. I don’t need big speeches or grand gestures. I need relationships that feel even—where support doesn’t come with a scoreboard, and where being “helpful” doesn’t turn into talking down to someone who’s still fighting for footing.

    I’m not angry. I’m just paying attention to what actually feels healthy. And I’m giving myself permission to choose peace without making a production out of it.

    If this post made you feel some sort of way, consider reaching out to the person who came to mind. Closing the gap might be the start of repairing what’s strained.

    If you’ve been on either side of a friendship that’s shifted—whether you were the one holding on or the one stepping back—feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. What did you learn? What helped? What do you wish you said sooner?

    And if this hit close to home and you don’t want to say it publicly, you’re not alone. Leave a comment and I’ll reach back out, or just say “connect” and we can talk. Sometimes having one steady conversation is enough to start moving things in a better direction.

    If you think someone else might need this, share it. You never know who’s quietly trying to figure out the same thing.

  • Navigating Everyday Communication Challenges

    Today, during my travels—just like most days—I had to make a few phone calls and handle the usual life stuff. Bills, questions, paperwork, the normal things adults deal with every single day. But somewhere in the middle of those calls, something hit me:

    Is communication really that hard?

    I’m calling these places because I’m trying to do the right thing. They want money. I want to pay my bills. It should be simple. But the moment I ask a basic question or request something straightforward—like an email showing a transaction or a simple confirmation—it suddenly becomes a problem.

    Why?

    Why does something so easy turn into a maze of transfers, excuses, confusion, and people telling me things that just aren’t true? Why do I have to jump through hoops for information that should take five seconds to send?

    I’m not asking for miracles.
    I’m not asking for anything special.
    Just basic clarity.

    Instead, I get half-answers, contradictions, and outright lies that don’t even make sense. And the worst part? When you point it out, you get treated like you’re the problem. Like wanting proof or confirmation is somehow unreasonable.

    It shouldn’t be this complicated.
    It shouldn’t be a fight.
    It shouldn’t drain your energy just to get someone to do something they should already be doing.

    Days like today remind me how much I value honesty and direct communication. Life is already hard enough—why add layers of confusion to something that should be simple?

    Just send the email.
    Just answer the question.
    Just be straightforward.

    It’s not that deep.
    It’s not that hard.
    And yet here we are.

    Conclusion

    At the end of the day, communication shouldn’t feel like a battle. It’s one of the simplest things we can offer each other—whether it’s personal, professional, or somewhere in between. Clear answers, honest explanations, and straightforward conversations should be the bare minimum. If more people slowed down and actually communicated, a lot of stress, frustration, and misunderstanding could be avoided.

    For now, I’ll keep asking for clarity when I need it, and remind myself that simplicity and honesty are still worth expecting.

    What About You?

    I’m curious — have you ever dealt with this kind of communication struggle?
    Whether it was a company, a service, or even just a day-to-day situation, I’d love to hear your experience. Drop a comment below and let me know how you handled it.

    More thoughts soon.