Validating feelings is an important skill in having good
relationships. This skill is deeper and more advanced than the skill of
reflective listening. Reflective listening is used by reflecting back to the
other person what you heard him say. And
while reflective listening is a very good and necessary skill for good
relationships, validating feelings goes a bit deeper. When we can validate
feelings we are able to show empathy to the other person. This means that we
can “feel” how the other person is feeling and communicate it back to that
person. We relate to the person that we understand what he is saying.
Validating feelings is being able to sit and listen to the feelings, not fix
them, not give advice and not minimize or talk the person out of the feelings.
To validate someone means that you reflect back to the person that you heard
him say she was feeling sad or lonely AND that you understand why the person
might feel the way he feels.
Validation of feelings needs to be talked about because we,
as a society, are uncomfortable with intense emotions. Messages are often given to us as children (and
by us to our children) that we need to buck up, stop crying and get over it.
Often we want the person to feel better so we say things to “talk them out of
his feelings”. This may give the unspoken message that the feelings are not
okay. But the good news is that you can develop this emotional intelligent skill if you work at it.
When we allow someone
to express feelings, we help the person feel heard allowing the expression and
release which may help diminish the feelings. When feelings are not validated
they actually may become more intense.
So listening to someone express feelings can be very helpful without
doing anything but just listening, accepting the feelings as they are and
letting the other person know that we “hear what he/she is saying” totally and
thoroughly. This may allow the person to feel heard, understood, and soften the
intensity so the person may then move forward. And for you, it allows you to be
there for another person in a way that will be most helpful, takes the pressure
off you to solve the problems and brings about more intimacy within the relationship
because you were able to “be there” for someone you care about.
1 comment:
Thanks Janie. Words of wisdom for people who want to keep growing are hard to come by. I appreciate all the wisdom you have developed over the years and reading your posts. You are very inspiring and encouraging. Love, Teri
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