BY LUCAS GRAHAM
Ever had someone tell you that you're too sensitive? Trust me, I've been there – it's like a slap in the face, invalidating your feelings and questioning your emotional responses.
Another hurtful phrase is "It's not that big of a deal," which can make you feel like your concerns are irrelevant and dismissed, as I experienced when discussing my anxieties about an upcoming presentation with a friend.
The phrase "I don't see why you're upset" is a classic sign of someone lacking empathy, as it reflects their inability to understand your feelings, leaving you feeling isolated and emotionally disconnected.
The phrase "Just move on" can feel dismissive and reveal a lack of empathy when sharing emotional struggles, as it suggests that your pain is being minimized and treated as an inconvenience to their comfort.
The phrase "That's just life" can feel dismissive and lacking in compassion when shared struggles are reduced to mundane parts of life, as I experienced when discussing my job loss with a friend who responded with this phrase, instead of offering empathy and understanding.
The phrase "Others have it worse" can downplay personal struggles and make you feel guilty for having your emotions, missing the point of empathy, which is about understanding and sharing feelings.