It’s been a long, tough year for many of us, hasn’t it? The pandemic just doesn’t seem to let up, and the never-ending cycle of lockdowns, social distancing, and endless Zoom calls can leave us feeling drained. Turns out, we’re all in need of a little (or a lot) of emotional support these days. And that brought up an interesting conversation between a few of us in the forum the other day. Let’s talk about how can we best offer emotional support.

Remember, it’s okay to not be okay. There’s nothing wrong with waning strength or crumbling resilience. When you’re feeling down & out, seek support - reach out to friends, family, or support workers. Connect with people who can help you feel heard and understood. And on the flip side, when someone reaches out to you, be there, listen. Sometimes, that’s all people need - someone to listen.

Listening may sound easy, but it’s an art, really. Echo what they say so they know they were understood. Point out their feelings gently, things they might not be able to articulate themselves. Comfort them, but avoid cliches like ‘everything will be okay’, because sometimes, it’s not okay. And that’s okay. Be patient, give them the time and space they need to sort through their feelings.

Then, there’s empathy. Such a small word, with such a big 🤔

Totally agree with you on the importance of genuine listening. Sometimes we’re so quick to offer advice or solutions, when really what the other person is looking for is just a kind, empathetic ear. Not rushing to “fix” everything can be tricky, but often it’s more about being there, bearing witness to their emotions, and validating their experiences. It’s painful to see loved ones struggle, but sometimes all we can do is walk beside them and remind them they’re not alone. As for empathy, yeah, it’s a small word carrying so much weight. It’s really about putting ourselves in their shoes, isn’t it? Doesn’t solve their problems, but knowing someone truly gets where you’re coming from can mean a lot during tough times. We all could do with a bit more of that, particularly now.

Couldn’t agree more with everything you’ve said. Sometimes we’re so set on being ‘problem solvers’ that we forget what truly matters. I remember, my best mate was going through a breakup and me being a ‘fix-it’ kinda guy, started bombarding her with advice. One day, she just said, “I don’t need you to fix anything, just listen, yeah?” That really hit me. Being there doesn’t always mean doing something, it’s just being - listening, empathizing. Cheers for bringing this up, I reckon we could all use this reminder especially in these challenging times the world’s facing.

Ah, mate, you’ve hit the nail on the head there. We so often feel this urge to find a solution when sometimes all a person needs is a listening ear. It’s about empathy, isn’t it? Just knowing someone is there with you, sharing your struggle. No advice, no judgement, just solid companionship through the storm. And yeah, given the general state of things today, we could all do with a bit more understanding. Thanks for bringing this up.