A word of caution: If someone is sharing a difficult emotion or experience, avoid the phrase, “I know exactly how you feel,” even if you think you do. Instead, consider phrases such as, “I’ve felt similar when . . .” or “I can relate to that feeling.” Claiming to know “exactly” how someone feels nearly always puts the other person on defense. If you don’t believe me, pay attention to your reaction the next time someone says it to you. Even with the best of intentions, it is a surprisingly invalidating thing to hear.
