We survived Hurricane Milton!
This piece was submitted to MHTN by an anonymous viewer
120 mph winds rattled our windows, and the downpour sounded like a waterfall over our home. Even my noise-canceling earbuds couldn’t drown out the chaos.
My partner had his earbuds in for a different reason: to listen to the local news for updates on tornadoes or other emergencies. When the storm finally passed, we looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief.
A check of our home revealed that everything was intact! Even our power had stayed on.
We texted friends and family to let them know we were alive and well and were touched by the messages of support from friends we hadn’t heard from in years.
However, a few close loved ones didn’t reach out, and I was a bit hurt. I wondered if I should focus on those who were there for me rather than dwelling on those who weren’t. Perhaps they were facing storms of their own. I also thought about my expectations and how they affected my feelings.
Here’s therapist JoJo Venant’s take
“It’s human nature to notice who shows up for us in a time of crisis. People process things differently as much as our minds want to create a story or narrative about why they didn’t show up. Sometimes, their silence doesn’t reflect their care or lack thereof; it may signify their struggles or distractions.
We discuss a powerful lesson in therapy: evaluating our expectations because our expectations shape our experiences. We can feel let down when we expect certain responses from people and don’t get them, but that disappointment also offers an opportunity for growth. You can hold people in compassion while also protecting your peace.
The questions you’re wrestling with—how much grace to give without being let down, etc.—are powerful and ongoing. The truth is life is full of storms, not all of them meteorological. We try to navigate them as best we can. In moments like this, it may be less about finding the best or perfect answers and more about staying open to the lessons life continues to offer.”
