Day 16: Deep Listening

Day 16: Deep Listening

Have one uninterrupted conversation.

Journal:

• Did I truly listen or prepare responses?

  Choose one conversation today in which you intentionally practice deep listening for at least five uninterrupted minutes. Before the conversation begins, take a slow breath and set a clear internal intention: I am here to understand, not to respond. As the other person speaks, notice any impulse to interrupt, correct, advise, or mentally rehearse your reply. Instead of following those impulses, gently return your attention to their words, tone, facial expressions, and pauses. Track your own body during the exchange—does tension rise when you disagree, or do you relax when you feel connected? Allow moments of silence without rushing to fill them. Afterward, mindfully reflect: Did I truly listen, or was I preparing my response? What shifted in the quality of connection when I prioritized presence over performance?

  Mountain Reflection: On a narrow ridgeline, climbers must pay close attention to subtle shifts in footing and wind direction; distraction increases risk. In your relationships, where does divided attention create instability? How might steady, undivided presence strengthen trust and create firmer ground for the climb together?