Do you know how to be a supportive partner? There are several mistakes that people make when trying to show support. Sometimes, we need to know what doesn’t work before we can do what does work.
Without further ado, let us jump into the list of tips to be a supportive and loving partner.
Let Them Talk
The objective of being a supportive person is being their witness. So, you might want to learn how to be a better listener. You don’t have to fix them. You do not have to be a judge and jury. You should know what your role is, and your role is to support and show that you care.
It is as simple as that – you don’t have to do anything else.
Be There with Them
Sometimes, when we know what our responsibility is, it dissipates that weight, and instead of feeling responsible for someone’s pain, we can just be in it. So, instead of feeling the pressure of being responsible for solving their issues, you can just be the witness and tell them that you see them.
Try to Relate
In order to be supportive and show that you care, you can try to pick one thing that they are saying that you can relate to. The thing that you can achieve with this is that you will be able to actually pay attention, listen to them, and stay engaged in the conversation.
Perhaps you have had a similar experience, or you can completely relate to where they are emotionally.
The thing is that you should pick something that you can relate to because that is going to help you stay focused on it.
Ask the Right Questions
To be a supportive partner, make sure to ask the right questions. The thing is that when you are too quiet, which is a common problem, the other person won’t really feel like you are with them. On that note, if you can ask some clarifying questions, as you might be confused about something – don’t get too tripped up in the details of their story.
You should ask questions that are more emotionally based, such as the following:
- How was that for you?
- Tell me more about that.
The objective of asking the right questions is that you will get them to talk more. Also, remember that this is not the time to share your own experience. This is really the time to make them feel seen and heard, which is why you should ask questions about them.
Also, by asking them questions, it will be a really good practice for you to stay in that conversation.
Ask What They Need From You
You should ask them what they need from you. For instance, you might ask them whether they need a solution from you or comfort. If they want to vent, they won’t be in a position to take advice.
On the same note, when it comes to giving your partner something other than advice, you can consider getting them a beautiful jewelry piece from the jewelry stores in san antonio, that is, if you live in San Antonio yourself because sometimes little tokens of love speak louder than words.
When things go wrong, your partner can look at the jewelry and remember that they have you – no matter what.
Don’t Support when Distracted
The thing about being a supportive person is that you should know that your loved one needs your attention, so don’t try to support them when you are distracted. You won’t be able to convey a supportive stance when you are stressed or hungry.
So, you must ensure that you are in the right frame of mind.
Let Them Have Their Pain
Now, this might be hard for you, especially if you can feel other people’s feelings or are codependent. You should know that sometimes you have to play the role of a witness, and you are supposed to stick to the three things of seeing, hearing, and validating.
If you can validate by saying, “Yes, I see you” or “Yes, I hear you,” that is loving and supportive, too. That is a solid way to show support. But – if you make the mistake of trying to change how someone is feeling or try cheering them up – they can feel like their story or their pain is invalidated.
They can feel like you are not paying attention and that you just want to rush through to happy feelings.
You want them to feel supportive. So, if they are in grief or they are in anger – just let that be their experience. The same goes for when you see that they are in frustration and sadness. While you are at it, be careful not to let their life experience become your life experience.
So, you may want to have an invisible boundary between them and you, especially if that person is highly emotional.
Rindx Team
