Can you sit in the mud with someone? Or allow them to sit in the mud with you?

Sitting in the mud means someone may be experiencing:

💔 Pain

💔 Turmoil

💔 Distress

💔 Confusion

💔 Discomfort

Sitting in the mud, you are stuck in a difficult, messy situation. The way out doesn’t always mean “just stand up.” It’s uncomfortable space.

Sitting in the mud WITH someone means:

🫶🏽 Validation

🫶🏽 Compassion

🫶🏽 Acknowledgement

🫶🏽 Emotional presence

🫶🏽 Empathy over solutions

Sitting in the mud with someone, you choose to be with someone in that uncomfortable space.

It took me a long time to learn how to sit in the mud with someone (and I’m still learning). I’m a problem solver by nature, and always wanted to “fix” or “pull them out.”

I learned the hard way, over a long period of time, that’s not always what’s needed. 

I can count the people I allow to sit in the mud with me on a three-toed sloth. OK, maybe on a human hand.

It’s a short, but deeply appreciated list.

Sitting in the mud with someone:

requires an immense amount of trust, patience and care

emphasizes the value of shared struggles

values deep listening over action

normalizes vulnerability

strengthens trust

 "Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up."

- Brené Brown