Chances are you have a relative or friend you’ll see this Thanksgiving around the dinner table who is struggling with something they’ve not shared with you — depression, anxiety, something they may not even understand at the moment.
You may want to give them advice. I’m here to tell you not to.
These art pieces are from the wonderful Sandi Toksvig.
Don’t Say This:
Say: Is there anything stressing you at the moment you’d like to talk about?
Don’t Say:
Say: I’m here if you want to talk. I’m a great listener.
Don’t Say:
Say: I’m here if you want to talk. I’m a great listener.
Don’t Say:
Say: I’m here if you want to talk. I’m a great listener.
Don’t Say:
Say: I’m here if you want to talk. I’m a great listener.
That’s right. Most of the time if someone tells you they’re down or they’re anxious, they don’t want your advice. They want someone to hear them. If they ask if you know of a good psychiatrist, that’s when you give advice. If they ask if you’ve been to therapy and if it was helpful, that’s when you give advice. Just listen. It’s as simple as that.
One last one:
Don’t Say:
Say nothing. If you say this to to someone you care about you’re a terrible person and I cant imagine you have any friends.
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