People who are truly empathetic never say these 7 things to others

Have you ever wanted to be a rock for someone, a shoulder to lean on, only to find your words seemed to push them further away? 

I know I’ve been there, thinking I was the epitome of empathy, but later realizing that my words might not have been as comforting as I’d intended. 

Empathy is a skill, and sometimes we trip up. 

So let’s look at 7 phrases that, although often well-intended, can make you come off as less empathetic than you want to be. 

And don’t worry, we’ll explore better alternatives to make sure your kindness hits the mark.

1) “At least you…”

“At least you’re not…” is usually well-intentioned. How many times have we tried to offer solace by pointing out that things could be worse? 

On the surface, it may seem like we’re providing perspective. We think we’re saying, “Hey, it could be more difficult, so don’t sweat it too much.” 

But what’s really happening is we’re downplaying their emotions and making their struggle seem insignificant.

The issue with “At least you’re not…” is that it shifts the focus away from the individual’s own feelings and experiences. Instead of acknowledging the weight of their emotions, it serves as a scale that measures their pain against an imagined, worse scenario. 

This creates an environment where the individual may feel like their problems aren’t “big enough” to warrant attention or sympathy. It can instill guilt, adding another layer of emotional complexity to an already challenging situation.

So, how can we express our support without minimizing their experience? A more empathetic approach would be to say, “I’m really sorry you’re going through this. How can I support you?” 

By saying this, you’re centering the conversation on them, their feelings, and their experience, without drawing unnecessary comparisons. 

2) “It’s not a big deal”

The phrase “It’s not a big deal” is another common one that we might think is calming or comforting. After all, aren’t we just trying to help someone see that it’s not as bad as they think? 

While the intention might be to offer a broader perspective, the impact often turns out to be quite different.

When you say, “It’s not a big deal,” you risk invalidating the person’s feelings or experiences. 

Think about it — something that seems minor to you could be a huge burden for someone else, tied to deeper issues you may know nothing about. 

By dismissing it as ‘not a big deal,’ you’re subtly implying that their reaction is overblown or unjustified. 

This can lead to feelings of isolation or inadequacy, and they may end up doubting their own emotional responses, or feeling resentful of you. Either way, you’re just creating more emotional turmoil.

If your aim is to genuinely provide comfort and perspective, try acknowledging the person’s feelings first. 

A more empathetic phrase to use might be, “I can see this is really hard for you. Would you like to talk about it?” 

By acknowledging their struggle, you show that you respect their feelings. This gives them the opportunity to delve deeper into their emotions if they choose to.

3) “Don’t be sad”

The phrase “Don’t be sad” often comes from a place of genuine concern. We say it because we don’t want to see someone we care about in pain. 

But despite our good intentions, this simple directive can be anything but helpful. 

When you tell someone not to be sad, you’re basically instructing them on how they should feel, which can be both confusing and isolating for the person on the receiving end.

This phrase falls into the trap of oversimplifying emotions. Feelings like sadness aren’t switches that can be flipped on or off at will. 

Many people going through emotional hardships already wish they could “not be sad.” Telling them to just stop feeling a certain way can make them feel inadequate for not being able to control their emotions.

What’s worse is that this phrase can prevent open dialogue about the root of the sadness. It shuts down the conversation before it can even begin, making the person feel like their emotions are not worth discussing.

A better, more empathetic alternative might be, “I see that you’re feeling down. I’m here for you if you want to talk about it.” 

This alternative does not presume to tell them how they should feel; instead, it invites them to accept and acknowledge those feelings, and makes a safe space for them to share.

4) “I know exactly how you feel”

This one’s a bit of a double-edged sword: “I know exactly how you feel”. 

On one hand, when someone is navigating a difficult period in their life, the knowledge that they’re not alone can be a great source of comfort. 

If you’ve genuinely been through a similar situation, sharing that can create a sense of connection and offer validation that can be truly healing.

However, this phrase can quickly turn problematic if not used accurately and sensitively. 

Firstly, even if you’ve faced a similar situation, your emotional journey may have been quite different. Emotions are complex, personal experiences that can’t be neatly compared. 

Secondly, some people use this phrase too liberally, applying it to situations that are not directly comparable. In such instances, this well-intentioned phrase can backfire, making the other person feel misunderstood or even trivialized.

The key is to never assume. If you believe your experiences align closely, consider first inviting them to share more about what they’re going through. Listen attentively. 

Then, if you still feel your situation is truly parallel, you can empathize with your own experience. For example, “I’ve been through something similar, and I felt X, Y, and Z. Is that how you’re feeling?” 

5) “Everything happens for a reason”

The saying “Everything happens for a reason” often comes from a place of trying to provide comfort during times of uncertainty or pain. It aims to inject a sense of purpose or destiny into situations that are difficult to understand. 

And while the intent might be pure, the impact can be quite the opposite.

This phrase can be particularly grating for someone who is going through a genuinely challenging time. It could be a loss, a failure, or any number of devastating life events. 

Telling them “everything happens for a reason” can minimize their pain and even add guilt to their emotional load, making them feel like they should be finding a ‘lesson’ in their suffering.

Instead of using this phrase, consider saying something like, “I’m really sorry you’re going through this. I’m here for you in any way you need.” 

This offers support and leaves the door open for them to lead the conversation where they’re most comfortable, without any implied judgment or minimization of their experience.

6) “You have so much to be grateful for”

While gratitude is a powerful tool for personal well-being, telling someone “You have so much to be grateful for” can often backfire when they’re going through a difficult time. 

This phrase, although well-intentioned, can feel dismissive of the person’s struggle. It sends the message that their pain is unimportant or unjustified, simply because there are other areas of their life that are going well. 

For example, someone dealing with severe work stress or relationship issues may already be quite aware of the other blessings in their life. Yet, that awareness doesn’t necessarily ease their current pain or dilemma. 

Reminding them to be grateful can actually make them feel guilty for feeling down in the first place.

A more empathetic response might be, “I understand that things are really tough for you right now. Let’s focus on how we can make it better.” 

You’ll acknowledge their feelings and give them the emotional space they need, while offering support and encouragement.

7) “Look at it this way”

“Look at it this way” can indeed be a helpful tool to encourage someone to reframe their thoughts and potentially alleviate anxiety or stress. 

When used thoughtfully, it can help someone break free from a mental loop and see their situation from a fresh angle. 

However, timing and approach are everything. The key is to use this phrase without dismissing the person’s current emotional state or making them feel that their anxiety is unwarranted.

The potential pitfall comes when this phrase is used too hastily or without adequate empathy, which can make the person feel like their feelings are being brushed aside. 

Instead of offering an immediate reframe, you might first validate their emotions with something like, “I can see you’re really anxious about this.”

After that initial validation, you can follow up with, “Would it be helpful to consider a different perspective?” 

By asking for their permission to offer a new angle, you’re respecting their autonomy and emotional state, allowing them to be more receptive to your suggested reframe. 

This way, “Look at it this way” becomes not a directive, but an invitation for a collaborative emotional journey.

The path to authentic empathy

In the end, the most empathetic thing you can do is listen, validate, and offer support without making assumptions. 

While well-intentioned, certain phrases can unintentionally hurt rather than heal. 

The beauty lies in our ability to learn and adapt, becoming better friends, partners, and confidants along the way. 

Choose your words wisely, and you’ll find the key to unlocking more meaningful, compassionate interactions.