Men often seek validation from their partners, especially when they feel a lack of self-worth. Validation is one of the relationship skills that helps build a healthy bond between two people and fosters feelings of safety and security. It surpasses being nice or polite in that it affirms a person’s importance to the other and opens up a safe space for emotional expression. It can also be an effective tool in navigating tricky conversations like conflict resolution and negotiations.
When a person is feeling down or vulnerable, it’s important for them to express their pain and emotions. However, some people tend to invalidate others’ feelings. This may be done intentionally or unintentionally, and can be particularly damaging in close relationships. When a person feels validated, their pain or fear may diminish. Invalidation, on the other hand, sends the message that the person’s experience or feelings are not legitimate and will probably only intensify their negative emotions.
To avoid invalidating someone, it’s a good idea to check in with your own state of mind before offering validation. If you’re not in a place to support a friend or loved one, then it’s best to let them know gently and calmly that you aren’t in the right headspace at this time. It’s also a good idea to limit the number of people you offer validation to, as too much can cause you to lose touch with your own feelings and create insecurity and dependency. words of validation for men