I think the most helpful thing for me was learning to broaden my ideas of *what* constitutes as "Communication." When I started, I thought that if I wasn't getting a full on conversation in my head, or if I wasn't seeing my Companions manifest in front of me (like everyone else seemed to!), then they weren't communicating with me.
This way of thinking caused me to dismiss more subtle ways my Companions were reaching out to me, and I started to compare my relationship with me Keep to the relationships other people seemed to have with theirs, and I began devalue my own experiences or even doubt the whole thing altogether. This, of course, created blocks to where I stopped getting even the subtle messages my Companions were sending, which made me feel worse, which created more blocks, which killed more communication, so on and so on. You can see the cycle, right?
Just like any other relationship, you and your Companions will find your own ways to communicate, in your own time and at your own pace. So, as frustrating as it is to hear, the best thing you can do it trust your gut, trust your Keep, continue talking to them and cut yourself some slack. Continue talking to them, doing bonding activities and giving your offerings. Take notes, look for patterns, let it come naturally. You're doing great. 🖤
