We are prone to and sometimes even confuse empathy with sympathy, and although both are important, it's worth understanding the differences between the two concepts. When it comes to emotions, sympathy mainly means that we are able to recognize someone's feelings, for example, if they are sad, and in acknowledging this, we try to somehow alleviate their situation. This can lead to similar statements such as "Don't worry, everything will be fine!" "There's no need to be sad, cheer up!", etc. Our goodwill is present, there is a desire to help, and we try to provide comfort because the other person's well-being is important, but in doing so, we tend to diminish, almost erase, their feelings. Empathy, on the other hand, doesn't try to give empty advice but instead, by entering the other person's world, stepping into their shoes, we can support them in experiencing their feelings and finding solutions.

Why is empathy important?

Empathy not only manifests in our ability to connect socially but also plays a key role in internalizing rules, as what is important to others becomes important to us as well. Accepting different perspectives builds trust between the two parties and deepens their relationship, making empathy a fundamental element of positive relationships. Empathetic individuals are surrounded by fewer conflicts and misunderstandings, and they navigate through challenging situations more easily because they can better understand their own behaviors and potentially untangle the complexities of difficult situations.

Naming Emotions - Modelling Empathy!

It's obvious that if someone is unable to identify their own emotions, they won't be able to do so with others either. In many cases, it becomes clear in adulthood that one's emotional vocabulary is fragmented or incomplete, and due to a lack of sufficient experience, exploring emotions can be much more difficult.