Read time: 4 minutes.
This is your permission to pause and take a little time for yourself.

Sometimes we are conditioned to treat other people’s pain like a problem to solve. When a friend, a partner, or a colleague shares that they’re struggling, our instinct may be to rush in with optimism, silver linings, and quick fixes. We try to pull them back into the light because seeing someone we care for in distress makes us uncomfortable.

But not everyone going through a heavy season is looking for a saviour.

They may just be looking for a witness.

Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do for someone else is to simply sit in the dark with them. Pull up a chair next to their fear, validate their reality, and let them know they don't have to carry it alone.

The next time someone you care about opens up to you, resist the urge to offer a solution. 

When you stop trying to fix their world and simply hold space for it, you give them the gift of being seen and understood.

Love,
Jay ❤️

Communication expert Vinh Giang joins me to share practical tools from his first book, Before We Forget How to Connect, to help you become a more confident communicator and build deeper, more meaningful connections. Vinh explains how to become a better listener, avoid common communication mistakes, and speak so people actually pay attention.

Remember, I’m in your corner today, tomorrow, and anytime you need a little permission to believe that everything is going to work out.

In Ask Jay, my newest format on On Purpose, I listen to voice notes from real listeners and help work through whatever is weighing on their minds. Is there something you’d want to share? I’d love to hear it, whether it’s about:

Send your voice note to [email protected]. Tell me what’s on your heart.