8 subtle things emotionally intelligent people never do when a friend is going through something difficult—and most well
Silicon Canals • • health
Key Points:
- The author reflects on a personal experience of unintentionally making a friend's crisis about themselves by sharing their own past pain instead of listening, highlighting a common mistake in offering support.
- Emotionally intelligent people avoid sharing their own similar stories immediately, minimize with toxic positivity, offer unsolicited advice, express their discomfort, ghost without explanation, compete over suffering, pressure others to move on quickly, or break confidence.
- Key supportive behaviors include listening without hijacking the conversation, acknowledging pain without rushing to silver linings, waiting to offer advice until asked, respecting boundaries without disappearing, and maintaining confidentiality.
- True emotional support involves holding space for another’s pain without judgment, prioritizing their needs over one’s own desire to relate, and simply asking how
