Your feelings are valid — you know that. That doesn’t make them right, but it does mean that other people should respect your emotions and your right to have them. If you’re regularly dealing with someone who completely disregards your feelings or even tries to belittle them or brush them off, here are a few ways to respond.
1. “You’re entitled to your opinion, but my feelings are valid too.”
Everyone is entitled to their feelings and perspectives. If someone dismisses your feelings, remind them that your emotions are just as valid as theirs. It’s not about winning an argument but understanding and respecting each other’s emotional experiences. This simple assertion can be a powerful reminder that emotional validation is not competition but mutual respect.
2. “I understand if you can’t relate, but it’s important to respect my feelings.”
Everyone experiences emotions differently. If someone is dismissive of your feelings because they can’t relate, remind them that understanding isn’t the only way to show respect. Even if they can’t empathize, they should still respect your feelings. This can help establish a mutual understanding and respect for each other’s emotional experiences.
3. “I appreciate your viewpoint, but this is how I feel.”
Having different perspectives is a part of life, and according to Psychology Today, it’s important to consider these varied POVs. If someone dismisses your feelings, remind them that their viewpoint doesn’t invalidate your feelings. Your emotions are your own, and they should be acknowledged and respected. This assertion emphasizes the importance of individual perspectives and the necessity of respecting one’s feelings.
4. “It’s not about who’s right or wrong, it’s about understanding each other’s feelings.”
Arguments aren’t always about proving a point. If someone is dismissive of your feelings in an argument, remind them that understanding each other’s feelings is more important than winning an argument. Promoting understanding can lead to healthier and more productive conversations. This can shift the focus from winning to understanding, making conversations more productive and less argumentative.
5. “I have a right to express my feelings without being dismissed.”
Everyone has the right to express their feelings without fear of dismissal. If someone is dismissive of your feelings, remind them of this right. Your feelings are valid, and you have the right to express them openly and honestly. This statement reaffirms your right to emotional expression and the importance of recognition.
6. “My feelings are just as important as yours.”
All feelings deserve to be recognized. If someone dismisses your feelings, remind them that your emotions are just as important as theirs. Mutual respect for each other’s feelings is key to maintaining healthy relationships. This helps maintain the balance of emotional validity in your interactions.
7. “I can’t control how I feel, but I can control how I respond.”
Feelings aren’t always within our control, but our response to them is. If someone dismisses your feelings, remind them of this. While they may not understand your feelings, they should respect your right to respond to them in a way that feels right to you. This statement can help them understand the difference between having feelings and how we respond to them.
8. “It’s okay to disagree, but it’s not okay to dismiss my feelings.”
Disagreements are a part of life, but they shouldn’t result in dismissal of feelings. If someone dismisses your feelings during a disagreement, remind them of this. Disagreements should lead to understanding, not dismissal. This sentiment emphasizes the importance of respect and understanding in the face of disagreements.
9. “My feelings are real and deserve to be acknowledged.”
Your feelings are real, and they deserve to be acknowledged and validated. If someone dismisses your feelings, remind them of this. Your emotions are a part of who you are and deserve to be recognized and respected. This reaffirms the authenticity of your feelings and the necessity of their recognition.
10. “Just because you don’t understand my feelings doesn’t mean they’re not valid.”
Understanding someone’s feelings isn’t always possible, but that doesn’t make them invalid. If someone dismisses your feelings because they don’t understand them, remind them of this. Even if they can’t understand, they should still respect your emotions. This highlights the importance of respect in the face of misunderstanding or confusion.
11. “I’m sharing my feelings with you because I trust you. Please don’t dismiss them.”
Sharing feelings is a sign of trust. If someone dismisses your feelings, remind them that you’re sharing because you trust them. Dismissing your feelings can break that trust and harm your relationship. This reminder can help them understand the importance of trust and respect in maintaining healthy relationships.
12. “It’s not fair to dismiss my feelings just because they’re different from yours.”
Differences in feelings are normal and should be respected. If someone dismisses your feelings because they’re different, remind them that this isn’t fair. Your feelings deserve recognition and respect, regardless of how they compare to others’. This statement reinforces the idea that difference in emotion doesn’t equate to insignificance.
13. “I value your opinion, but I also value my feelings.”
While it’s important to value others’ opinions, it’s also crucial to value your own feelings, according to Psychology Today. If someone dismisses your feelings, remind them of their importance. Your feelings are valid and should be treated with respect and understanding. This assertion establishes the equivalence of importance between one’s feelings and others’ opinions.
14. “My feelings may not seem logical to you, but they’re real to me.”
Feelings don’t always follow logic, but that doesn’t make them any less real. If someone dismisses your feelings because they don’t seem logical, remind them of this fact. Your feelings are your own, and they are as real and important as anyone else’s. This sentiment emphasizes the validity of your feelings, regardless of their perceived logic.
15. “Dismissing my feelings won’t make them go away.”
Ignoring or dismissing feelings doesn’t make them disappear. If someone dismisses your feelings, remind them of this truth. Feelings need to be acknowledged and dealt with, not dismissed or ignored. This reminder can help them realize that dismissal isn’t a solution to emotional differences.
16. “You don’t have to feel the same way, but please respect my feelings.”
Everyone has their unique emotional responses, and it’s perfectly okay to feel differently about the same situation. If someone disregards your feelings because they don’t mirror their own, remind them of this. They don’t have to align with your emotions, but they should respect your right to feel the way you do. This statement underscores the importance of mutual respect in the face of differing emotional reactions.
