What it is
Eye contact is one of the plainest forms of presence. It says: I’m here, I see you, and I’m willing to be seen. Avoiding someone’s eyes can be shyness, culture or neurodivergence, and it can also be avoidance, of a truth, of shame, of the moment.
How it shows up for me
My mom taught me to look people in the eyes when they talk to me. It took years to understand that she was teaching dignity: when I look at someone’s eyes, I see a person.
With my kids, I get down to their level and look at them when it matters. It changes the whole conversation.