Deciding to express your innermost thoughts and feelings can be a difficult thing to do. This is especially difficult to carry out when you feel like nobody is listening. Whatever you have been building up the courage to say is finally ready to blossom and emerge into the world; yet now that you have said it, you feel completely shot down. The reaction that you were hoping for did not arise from the time you just spent expressing your thoughts and feelings, and that sucks.

It is completely acceptable for you to feel disappointed when it seems as if nobody is listening to you. After all, you carefully planned your expression and quite clearly thought that it was necessary to expel these words into the world, directed at a certain audience, or else you would not have even done so in the first place.

However, do not allow yourself to become discouraged if you experience this unfortunate feeling.

Of course, it can be disappointing and difficult to accept the fact that perhaps you were not being listened to, but rest assured, there is somebody out there who will listen. Do not blame yourself and do not grow angry with your listener who did not reciprocate to your level of expectation; maybe they were not ready to do so.

Furthermore, do not shut yourself down; do not make a vow that will prevent you from ever opening up in the future and expressing your thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Just because somebody did not seem like they were noticing you, does not necessarily constitute that they weren't listening. Perhaps they just uncertain as to how to answer you. Sometimes, no answer is an answer, but you can never be sure.

Consider using this time as a learning experience rather than getting worried about the response (or lack thereof) from those who you were attempting to communicate with. Shift your focus on how you can prepare to better communicate in the future as you approach similar situations. Alternatively, you can use this experience to switch perspectives.

Instead of remaining concerned solely with yourself, think about the person that you were communicating with. How are they feeling about this situation? Do you think they were expecting to hear what you are telling them?

As a result, it is difficult to put yourself out into the world and receive so little in return. Even on days when it seems like nobody is listening, realize that you cannot allow that assumption to dictate your self-confidence, thoughts, and emotions. Keep speaking your mind, continue pursuing a friend who will truly listen until your expectations are satisfied, and never doubt your self-worth.

There is somebody listening.