We, as a society, really have no idea how *suffocated* people are in their emotions. Most people have *nobody* to express themselves entirely to. Everyone is holding back their *vulnerabilities* to maintain the *social image* of a confident and happy person.

Heart-to-heart conversations have become *rare, artificial and shallow*. And most hearts are filled with *empty defences*.

Most people can't even talk to their *life-partners openly* for the fear of being judged or rejected. Emotions await just a release. Social images make sure weakness is not glorified.

Children have *bottled up* stress. Young people suffer anxiety and depression.

It is just a lack of social support. It is *lack of non-judgmental* friendships. It is the result of *fast and busy lives* where nobody has time to just sit and watch someone cry.

It is the result of *instant and impatient lifestyle* practices, that *emotions have started feeling like a waste of time*.

We have *WhatsApp and FaceBook and social media* - and we also have *stress and anxiety and depression*.

Our forefathers had neither. Because they talked to each other. Because talking helps.

The *face-to-face* type talking, the *just-listen-to-me* type talking, the *hold-my-hand-and-let-me-cry* type talking, the *sit-next-to-me-and-listen-to-my-silence* type talking... the talking where *the person can be themselves and say anything they feel without the fear of any judgment or loss or rejection*.

Today, we don't like that type of talking. Those conversations when someone begins to undress one's mind. In fact, we *avoid people*. And so, mental illness is epidemic. Naturally.

There is not much we can do. But we can offer a *listening* !

Let's let people talk without any fear. Let's create conversations.

Let's start talking again and again.