Psychologist Pilar Sordo: 'It's increasingly difficult to generate real conversations' | La Nación (AR)

Psychologist and writer Pilar Sordo notes a growing difficulty in fostering authentic conversations, attributing it to a reduction in vocabulary and patience. She explains that people are using fewer words to express themselves, which limits their ability to articulate their inner states. Citing Spanish psychiatrist José Luis Marín, Sordo suggests that a lack of words can lead to psychological distress, and that substituting language with emojis erodes the depth of human connection.

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We have reduced patience, because not only is it difficult for me to tell you what's happening to me, but you have less patience to listen to me.

Sordo highlights that diminished patience prevents individuals from feeling truly heard and understood in conversations. "We have reduced patience, because not only is it difficult for me to tell you what's happening to me, but you have less patience to listen to me," she stated. This dynamic makes it challenging to create dialogues where both participants feel acknowledged. Sordo believes conversations should involve a willingness to be transformed by what the other person shares, otherwise, they devolve into intermittent monologues.

Her research over eight years indicates that an individual's internal dialogue profoundly shapes their self-esteem and perception of the world. "How you talk to yourself defines your self-esteem and your vision of the world," Sordo explained. This self-perception, she argues, influences how people navigate grief, find life purpose, and express their emotions.

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How you talk to yourself defines your self-esteem and your vision of the world.

Furthermore, Sordo contends that personal growth often involves discomfort, a state many people avoid. She criticizes the societal pressure for constant happiness, asserting that discomfort is the primary catalyst for growth and shifts in priorities. "Discomfort is the only invitation to growth," she affirmed, noting that the friction of realizing the need for change is difficult in a culture that prioritizes avoidance. Sordo also defended the human right to change one's mind, make mistakes, and leave situations that compromise well-being.

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Discomfort is the only invitation to growth.