What is the difference between empathizing or sympathizing?
According to Brene Brown, empathy has four characteristics;
Gaining perspective,
Not judging,
Defining/recognizing the feeling,
Being able to explain this feeling.
>To empathize is to feel with the other person. To sympathize is to feel
for the other person.
If an individual is going through a difficult and troublesome period; for example, “We are not on good terms with my wife
We can divorce.” He replied, "At least you're married." "Look at me, I'm still alone" or "My son is about to be expelled from school." "At least your daughter is at the top of her class." An answer like "will most likely make him feel that he is not understood and will cause him to feel anger." Avoid making sentences that start with “At least…”.
“What can I say at that moment?” You may think, and this may create a feeling of panic in you.
In such a situation, there is actually no correct and appropriate answer for you because this
will not fix the situation. But what is important is the bond you establish with the person in front of you at that moment.
What will make that person feel better or improve the situation at that moment is the bond established between two people
. You may not know what to say at that moment, which reaction is the 'correct' reaction
and you may be afraid of saying something wrong. An answer as simple as "I understand you and I'm with you", but which helps to embrace the other person and establish that bond, will be useful. The aim is to make the other person feel that he is with you and that he is cared for.
The main need of the person is to hear this most of the time.
Most of the time, when the people in front of us tell us about their problems, their real need is
It's about feeling like they're truly listened to. It will be soothing for them to feel that someone is listening to them sincerely
and that they are understood. Most of the time
people just need to feel understood. To encourage the other person to open up about their feelings, to create an environment where they can feel safe, to develop a sense of trust. Giving your mind
is the best way to help your loved ones.
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