Few things are worse than when you’re dealing with something disappointing or hard, and you go to a friend only to hear, “Hang in there,” or “Everything happens for a reason.” Most of the time, those phrases leave us feeling unsupported.
Most of us don’t even realize we’re guilty of this. Because we’ve heard phrases like “You got this” or “There’s more fish in the sea,” we assume we’re offering comfort, support or wisdom. But while well-intentioned, these lines often backfire, leaving the listener feeling dismissed or invalidated.
The times we feel most supported are usually when we hear personalized words of encouragement and soothing ― not something we could find on a Pinterest board.
We asked experts to weigh in on what not to say and what actually helps.
Common Comfort Phrases That Backfire
