The first step in validating an emotional reaction is to recognize the other person's emotion. This can be difficult if the other person has not stated their sentiments clearly, so you may have to either ask them what they are experiencing or guess and then ask them if you are correct. For example, if someone is angry, you can ask them how they are feeling by saying something like, "It looks like you're really mad at me. How am I doing?" They will be able to tell you by answering your question that they know what you are feeling even if it wasn't apparent before. Then, you can go on to explain why you think they are angry with you.
Next, you need to validate their emotion. You do this by explaining that you understand their position even if you don't agree with it. For example, if someone is angry with you, you can say, "I understand why you're angry with me. It seems like I've been taking you for granted lately." This tells the other person that you understand where they are coming from even if you disagree with it. Even if the other person does not say anything, you can still assume that they accept your explanation by nodding your head or shaking it off.
Finally, you need to express empathy for their situation. This means that you should try to imagine what it would be like to be in their position.
When someone is sad, it is critical in any healthy relationship to affirm their feelings. Begin by just listening and replying in simple words. Then, try to sympathize as much as possible. Remember that you don't have to agree with someone's sentiments or decisions in order to recognize that they are genuine.
Providing validation through words and actions helps people feel less alone which in turn reduces their feelings of depression. It's also important to note that not all people who suffer from depression want or need your approval. Some people prefer to keep their emotions private if they feel you might judge them for what they go through.
Depression is a complex disease that can no longer be explained simply by one factor. However, speaking with an expert can help you identify the cause of this illness and give you some tools to manage it.
The process of learning about, comprehending, and accepting another person's emotional experience is known as emotional validation. Emotional validation differs from emotional invalidation, which occurs when someone else's emotional experiences are rejected, disregarded, or condemned. Validation is a necessary component in creating healthy relationships.
Emotional validation can be expressed through words, actions, non-verbal signals, and feelings. When we lack emotional validation, we feel disconnected from others and unable to trust their intentions. We then seek out other people who will accept us as we are, which makes sense given that no one else but our loved ones should know all of our secrets. However, not everyone who loves us feels the need to validate our feelings. For example, friends may like to help us deal with our problems or give advice, but they do not feel responsible for making us feel better if we are sad or have been wronged. They are simply there for us to talk to when we need them.
People provide emotional validation to each other by acknowledging and understanding each other's emotions, even if they differ from theirs. The point is that you should be able to communicate your needs and desires to your partner without fear of rejection or anger.
Empathetic Response Examples
Tips
"That's not worth getting furious over," for example. It's fine to disagree with someone's response, but validating is not the same as agreeing. It is merely acknowledging another person's sentiments. Instead, say something like, "I see why that would make you furious" or "You sound really irritated."
The goal is not to agree with or support their behavior, but rather to understand where they are coming from and what they are going through. Only then can you help them find a way out of their situation that doesn't hurt others.
For example, if someone says they're angry with you but you know this isn't true, a validator would say something like, "I can tell you're really upset about what happened, but it doesn't make sense that you'd be angry with her."
This doesn't mean that you have to put yourself in their place or pretend to be them. A validator should never justify unacceptable behavior. However, they should try to understand why someone might act a certain way so that they can help them find a better solution.
For example, if someone is yelling at you but they claim they aren't really angry, a validator could say, "It seems like you're really mad at her, but she didn't do anything wrong."
Here are five easy steps to getting started with your personal emotional check-in.
To validate someone's sentiments, you must first accept them, then understand them, and then nurture them. To validate someone is to recognise and accept them. Invalidation, on the other hand, means to reject, disregard, or judge something. In validation, we accept someone's views or opinions; in invalidation, we reject them.
Validating someone's feelings requires understanding where they are coming from and what has happened to cause them to feel that way. Only then can one offer appropriate support.
In psychology, emotional validation is the process of recognizing and accepting another person's experience as valid and important. This means showing agreement with a person's feelings, acknowledging their experiences as real, and believing that they know how they are feeling. Without this type of validation, someone cannot begin to heal from past trauma or learn to deal with future challenges.
People need to hear words that show that you understand what they are going through even if it isn't exactly like what they are experiencing now. They need to know that you care about their feelings and that you trust them not to be hurt by your comments. They need to know that it is safe for them to open up to you and tell you what they are feeling.