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The Confusing Art of Holding Space
People often cry around me. It’s a good thing.
Recently I realized that all throughout my life, people have been crying in my presence.
Not just close family and friends, but people I barely know. Strangers seated next to me on long flights. Tough guys who normally shove emotions down. And of course friends who are going through a tough time.
In fact, I can’t readily recall the last day when at least one person didn’t cry in front of me.
I am like a Tears Whisperer. But I don’t think I make people sad. I think I help them release whatever they’re ready to let go of.
Holding Space. It’s a fuzzy term commonly used in therapy circles. A reminder to simply be there for someone. Without judgment. Without rushing to fix or solve. Giving someone the safe, supported space to be completely themselves, utterly vulnerable, without needing them to change. Without even needing to offer advice unless explicitly asked for it.
Hold up. Is Holding Space just a hippie term for ‘listening’?
My friend D is from Israel. I asked him if there’s a direct translation equivalent to holding space in Hebrew. “No. To me it sounds like a made-up hippie word for listening. If you really, truly…
