Practical Tips for Validation: How to Validate and Seek It in Relationships [episode 51]
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Listen to Practical Tips for Validation: How to Validate and Seek It in Relationships on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | your platform of choice
Validation is a key piece in building stronger relationships and communicating more effectively. This is especially true in rural life, where emotions tend to go unspoken. In last week’s episode, I discussed what validation is and why it’s important. Today, I’m excited to continue the conversation surrounding validation, and share more about the ‘practical’ side of it.
In today’s episode, I talk about practical tips for validation, and specifically, how to validate and seek it in relationships. When you’re in a conversation with someone, make sure you’re fully focused on them. People want to be seen and heard, so take the time to really listen, put distractions away, and just let them vent without feeling the need to interrupt and offer what *you* think they need to hear.
Some other ways to go about validating others is to acknowledge their feelings and emotions without judgments. This goes a LONG way with the other person, because all of our emotions are valid – we’re not ‘picking and choosing’ what we’re feeling. Don’t feel like you need to offer advice or ‘fix’ whatever they’re experiencing (this is something I’ve struggled with because I’m definitely a ‘fixer’)!
When it comes to seeking validation for ourselves, we must acknowledge our emotions. Maybe you take a moment and actually say out loud what you’re feeling, instead of suppressing or pretending like what you’re feeling isn’t happening (or doesn’t matter). This helps no one, and has been shown to lead to more pain and physical ailments in the future.
It’s vital that you have people in your life who are emotionally safe and actually capable of providing support to you. When your people are supporting you in this way, make sure you’re OPEN to receiving the validation they’re offering, too!
Validation is not about ‘fixing’ problems or offering solutions, but rather, seeing, hearing, and trying to understand each other. Not only can we offer validation without fully understanding or agreeing with one another, but we can validate ourselves too. After all..that is where the REAL connection begins.
Tune in for a special challenge I have for you at the end, and make sure to come back for next week’s episode – we’ll be diving into what validation looks like during tough conversations!
In this episode, Practical Tips for Validation: How to Validate and Seek It in Relationships, we cover:
- Effective ways to validate others
- How to seek validation for ourselves
- Why validation is much more than just ‘fixing problems’ + a special challenge for you
Resources & Links:
- Join the waitlist for the Good Movement Collective
- Good Movement music by: Aaron Espe
- Podcast produced by: Jill Carr Podcasting
Connect with Terryn:
- Follow on Instagram @terryn.drieling
- Check out my website
- Send me an email at terryn@terryndrieling.com
Related Episode:
- Episode 50: Validation Vs. Agreement: Understanding the Difference and Why It Matters
- Episode 33: What Happens When Honest Questions Are Met with Resistance?
More about the Good Movement Draws Good Movement podcast:
In stockmanship (the art and science of handling cattle in a safe, effective, low-stress manner), we have this phrase . . . good movement draws good movement.
It’s this thing that happens when we ask a small group of cattle, maybe a cow, or a pair to move out in a certain direction and their movement draws the whole herd into moving in the same direction.
Good movement happens when we approach the cattle with a positive attitude, read and really listen to what they’re telling us, and communicate accordingly.
We don’t approach the aware, flighty cattle the same as we do the tame, docile cattle. We adjust ourselves, our energy, and approach, and communicate with each differently.
These adjustments help us effectively draw good movement from each, which then draws good movement from the herd. But it starts with us.
The same is true for humans. Good movement starts with us.
Welcome to Good Movement Draws Good Movement, the podcast where farmers, ranchers, and rural folks can grow relationally through awareness, understanding, and effective communication.
Hey, it’s me – T. I’m your host, and I, along with my guests, will be covering topics related to drawing good movement – things like self and social awareness, brain science, positive psychology, extending grace, and so much more.
We’ll share tools that can help you understand why you are the way you are, why others are the way they are, and how you can use that to step out of self-told lies with grace and compassion to draw good movement in conversations, relationships, and life in rural America.
Tune in every Tuesday and make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! Let’s go draw good movement!
