The Importance of Validation
Validation is the act of showing you understand and respect your partner’s feelings, even when you may not fully agree. When you acknowledge her emotions, you create a safe space where she feels heard, understood, and appreciated, which is essential in a healthy relationship.
Strategies for Effective Validation
- Listen Actively: Show her you’re engaged by making eye contact, nodding, and using affirming words like “I see.”
- Reflect Back: Repeat back what she shared to confirm understanding.
- Example: “It sounds like you felt overlooked when I didn’t help with the dishes.”
- Acknowledge Her Feelings: Recognize her feelings as valid, even if you don’t share the same perspective.
- Example: “I understand why you would feel that way.”
Exercises for Practicing Validation
- Active Listening: Pair up with a friend and practice sharing and listening to feelings without interruption.
- Validation Role-Play: Role-play a scenario with a friend to practice listening and acknowledging emotions.
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