When Well-Meaning is Actually Dismissive [episode 137]
Listen to When Well-Meaning is Actually Dismissive on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | your platform of choice
Sometimes, the people who love us most say things with the very best intentions. Unfortunately, they can still land in a way that feels painful.
Maybe someone tries to remind us to “look on the bright side” or reassures us that “everything happens for a reason.” While those words often come from a caring place, they can unintentionally gloss over something we deeply need in hard moments: to simply feel what we’re feeling.
In today’s episode, I’m talking about what happens when well-meaning is actually dismissive. Through experiences like losing my dad, navigating cancer, and living through devastating fires, I’ve become more aware of how quick we are to search for silver linings or make someone feel better.
Honestly, though, the most healing thing we can offer someone is not advice, perspective, or positivity – it’s presence!
At the end of the day, people don’t always need us to have the “perfect” words. They need us to sit beside them, truly listen, and say, “I see you.”
If this conversation resonates and you’re ready to go deeper on your healing journey, I’d love to support you. You can schedule a free 30-minute call with me to talk about 1:1 Good Movement Guidance. Make sure to mention “castpod” when you book to receive 10% off!
In this episode, When Well-Meaning is Actually Dismissive, I cover:
- Why “well-meaning” responses can sometimes feel dismissive
- Common phrases that unintentionally gloss over grief or hard emotions
- Why validation matters more than silver linings in difficult moments
- The reminder that multiple experiences & perspectives can both be true
- Why we don’t get to choose our feelings
- How our own relationship with emotions shapes how we respond to others
- Recognizing the urge to fix, solve, or rush someone toward feeling better + what to do instead
- Why holding space, listening & simply being present matters SO much
- Why others need your presence more than “perfect words”
Resources & Links:
- Schedule a free consult and see if 1:1 Good Movement Guidance is right for you
- Check out my merch shop
- 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 Episodes:
- Episode 51: Practical Tips for Validation: How to Validate and Seek It in Relationships
- Episode 99: Ignoring It Isn’t the Answer—for Yourself or Others
- Episode 134: How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving or Going Through a Lot
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 our approach, and we communicate with each other 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!
