The Phone Works Both Ways - A Gentle Reminder

There are moments when a heavy feeling settles in my chest - guilt, perhaps, for not reaching out enough. I find myself thinking - “I should have called, I should have checked on them, I should have been more considerate, “ Life moves so quickly, and in the rush of routines and responsibilities, maintaining connections mostly feels like it is another task on the endless to-do list.

But still, there is another side to this story that rarely gets acknowledged.

I have often held the weight of relationships, like it is always mine to carry. I have blamed myself for the silences, the growing distances, the unreturned call. But then, reality gently taps me on the shoulder and shouts out loud - Excuse me - The phone works both ways.

That is when a new thought came in - Why am I the only one feeling bad? When was the last time some one checked in on me without any reason?

This reflection is not meant to breed resentment, but to bring in more clarity - that relationships always thrive on mutual effort. They are built not just on love, but on reciprocity. When the energy is always one-sided, exhaustion takes root. It is not selfish to expect the same care you extend to others. It is human nature.

There is a quiet loneliness in always being the strong one, the planner, the checker, the comforter. When you are the who. Usually initiates conversations, remembers birthdays, or sends those “just checking in” messages, itiseasy to feel invisible when these gestures are not returned. 

And yet, this is also a lesson. - not just about others, but about ourselves.

Sometimes, we need to let go of the roles we have cast ourselves in. The “fixer.”,the”always available”, the “reacher-outer.” Not out of spit, but from a place of self-respect. Because silence can be answerrAnd absence can teach us who truly values our presence.

So, if you are reading this now and if you have been feeling guilty for not checking in, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: Has any one checked on me? If not, maybe it is time to realign your expectations. Not to close your heart, but to open it to people who meet you halfway. 

Life is too short to chase one sided relationships.  

LET THE PHONE RING BOTH WAYS.