Real Talk

Have you noticed that we have gotten really good at talking…without actually saying anything? 

Conversations are typically surface level, quick, and then it’s off to the next thing. We are so used to putting on this front that everything is fine and acting like we don’t need friendships that are more than pleasantries. It’s become normal to just do a dinner and catch each other up on the quick versions of our lives. There’s not a whole lot of connection or deeper conversations happening, we don’t make time for it. 

Get honest with yourself. If you crave these deeper conversations and friendships, what are you doing to make it happen? Are you putting yourself out there? Are you attempting to establish a deeper connection with your friends? It’s hard! If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Do you ever feel like a shitty friend when someone you know relatively well shares something major that they’ve been struggling with and you didn’t even realize they were struggling? Sometimes you find out online before you hear it from them directly. When you’re struggling and find it hard to share that, do you feel unseen by your friends? Do you pretend everything is fine because you’re worried about being a burden? 

Sharing your struggles with your friends does not make you a burden and if they make you feel like it is, then they aren’t your friends. Get new ones. Just to clarify - you are opening up and being vulnerable. Not just dumping and venting about stuff. There’s a time and place for that. I think that when you examine your friendships and look deeper, you’ll notice that you don’t actually know them that well. Do they know you that well? We’ll dig deeper into that in another post. Making friends as an adult is ridiculously hard and it shouldn’t be. 

Everyone has gotten good at talking without actually saying anything. Social media is full of surface level connections and yes, there are a handful of accounts that make you feel truly connected. Most of the time, you follow for helpful content or to learn something new. Isn’t it frustrating when you realize the content isn’t deep or actually helpful? It’s not even that they want you to buy from them or be influenced by them, it’s just that they aren’t looking for meaningful connection. If you aren’t either, it works out. If you are though, it doesn’t really work out over time. 

I love to have deep, unfiltered, and meaningful conversations. That’s where that connection is made. In that moment of vulnerability and trust you really bond. I remember that when I was a teenager, my friends and I would talk on the phone for hours. We’d literally talk on the phone until we arrived at the destination or were on the front porch. Then we’d keep talking while we hung out or ran errands together. It was effortless and we’d jump from deep topics to silly ones. Don’t you miss those days when we could just roll up to a friend’s house and be like “hop in we’re going to Target!”? I sure do. 

That’s where my podcast Real Talk with Halle originated from. Those thoughts I just shared with you. The chats get real and deep while sprinkled in with the silly too. All in 20-25 minutes. That’s how long it takes me to get to Target so I figured that would be the perfect length! It’s not about having it all figured out… it’s about being willing to say it out loud. I sure as heck don’t have it all figured out and I sure as hell don’t claim to. I believe that we all learn from each other and by sharing what we know. I think that gate keeping is really stupid. Like, what’s the point of that? I love to share what I’ve learned from others! If we keep passing it on, there are more people who also get to learn and grow. 

I am a lot unfiltered and a little chaotic at times. At work, I am a very Type A personality that is organized and professional. Outside of work, my Type B comes out and I’m a lot more relaxed. So that’s the version of me that you all get! I promise to always keep it real with you. I don’t really believe in fluff or beating around the bush. I’m the friend that will always be honest with you and be one you can count on! And…. there’s a fun little segment to answer those questions that we are too nervous to ask out loud. 

Real Talk with Halle is essentially like a long voice memo and we’ll get into what’s been on your mind! I love getting deeper into friendships, girlhood, and personal development. Let this be where you can have that moment of your day and think, wow that’s what I needed to hear. If we were on the phone right now, what would you want to talk about? Comment below or send me a DM! I look forward to connecting! 

PS - the podcast drops May 18th, stay tuned!

Keeping it Real, 

Halle