Five ways to validate your feeling

Do you ever feel like your emotions are not valid or important? Do you struggle to express how you feel or to accept yourself for who you are? If so, you are not alone. Many people have difficulty validating their feelings, which can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

But what does it mean to validate your feelings? And how can you learn to do it better?

Validation is the process of recognizing and accepting your own and others’ emotions as real and understandable. It does not mean that you agree with or approve of everything that you or someone else feels, but that you acknowledge and respect the emotional experience without judging or dismissing it.

Validation is important for several reasons. First, it helps you to cope with difficult emotions and situations by reducing the intensity and duration of negative feelings. Second, it helps you to build a positive and realistic self-image by affirming your strengths and values. Third, it helps you to improve your relationships by fostering empathy, trust, and communication.

So how can you learn to validate your feelings?

Here are some tips to get you started:

– Pay attention to your emotions. Notice what triggers them, how they affect your body and mind, and what they tell you about your needs and wants. Try to name your emotions as accurately as possible, using words that describe the intensity and complexity of what you feel. For example, instead of saying “I’m angry”, you could say “I’m frustrated and disappointed”.

– Express your emotions in healthy ways. Find outlets that allow you to release your emotions without harming yourself or others. This could be talking to a friend, writing in a journal, listening to music, exercising, meditating, or engaging in a hobby. Avoid suppressing, avoiding, or numbing your emotions with substances or distractions.
– Challenge negative thoughts. Sometimes we invalidate our feelings by telling ourselves things like “I shouldn’t feel this way”, “I’m overreacting”, “I’m weak”, or “I don’t deserve to be happy”. These thoughts are not helpful or true. Instead of believing them, try to replace them with more balanced and compassionate statements that acknowledge your feelings and support your well-being. For example, instead of saying “I shouldn’t feel this way”, you could say “It’s okay to feel this way”.
– Seek support from others. Validation does not have to come only from yourself. You can also seek validation from people who care about you and understand you. Reach out to someone who can listen to you without judging or criticizing you, and who can offer you empathy and encouragement. You can also ask for feedback or advice if you need it. Remember that you are not alone in your feelings, and that there are people who want to help you.
– Practice self-compassion. Validation is a form of self-compassion, which is the ability to treat yourself with kindness and care. Self-compassion means that you recognize your common humanity, your imperfections, and your suffering, and that you respond to yourself with warmth and understanding. Self-compassion can help you to cope with stress, increase your happiness, and enhance your self-esteem.

Learning to validate your feelings is not easy, but it is worth it. By validating your feelings, you can improve your mental health, your self-confidence, and your relationships. You can also learn more about yourself and grow as a person. Remember that your feelings matter, and that you deserve to be heard and respected.

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Mr. Wilson Shinde