The need for genuine shared presence — both people actually *in* an experience together rather than one person driving or leading while the other receives, accommodates, or follows. A quality of genuine togetherness rather than parallel presence. Distinct from [[Need - Reciprocity]], which concerns balance of give and receive over time. Mutuality is about the quality of shared being in the moment — are both people genuinely *with* each other? ## Feelings that signal this need is unmet [[Disconnected]] | [[Lonely]] | [[Withdrawn]] [[Resentful]] | [[Invisible]] ## How it commonly manifests In intimate contexts, the difference between an encounter that feels genuinely shared and one that feels like a performance or service. In conversation, the difference between being heard and being processed. In collaboration, the difference between working together and working alongside. ## Values filter question *Are we actually together in this, or is one person driving while the other follows?* ## Related needs [[Need - To Be Seen]] | [[Need - Presence]] [[Need - Reciprocity]] | [[Need - Authenticity]] [[Need - Understanding]]