“Listening is a gift when you do not ask someone to make their pain sound tidy.”

Some stories come out in fragments. Someone might change the subject, repeat a detail, cry, laugh unexpectedly, or say they are not sure what they feel. They do not owe us a polished version of a difficult experience before we can treat them with compassion.

Listening can mean giving a person the time to find their words, asking whether they want advice, and accepting that you may not be able to make the situation better right away. You can say, “You don’t have to explain it perfectly. I’m here.” If they want quiet instead, respect that too.

For more examples of supportive language, explore how to comfort someone with words.