In dating, relationships, or even casual connection, communication is how we determine safety. It’s how we assess: Can I trust this person? Can I express my needs? Is there space for real intimacy here?

But communication isn't just about talking. It’s about gathering information—and interpreting that information through mindfulness and curiosity.

So how do we communicate in a way that helps us feel safe, seen, and understood?

And while we often think of emotional safety as something created by words or actions (and it is), there's something even more foundational going on beneath the surface:

Your nervous system is either allowing connection—or protecting you from it.