The need for validation, whether conscious or not, is universal. We all want to feel acceptable, worthy, and not-kooky in other people’s eyes. But what is validation, anyway? Most of us are a little fuzzy on this concept, and for good reason: Validation can be hard to come by in everyday life. Let’s talk first about what validation feels like on the receiving end, and then we’ll look at how to do it. Validation is a Gift When someone validates us, we feel like we’re no longer alone. We’re not crazy to feel the way we feel. Someone understands us. …

Even though there’s a lot of talk about how entitled young people are these days, I see a lack of entitlement among all age groups in my practice as a therapist. I see people putting up with pretty poor behavior from people they love, without uttering a word of protest. Or, if they do protest, there are no consequences when the other person ignores them and keeps on behaving the same way. There seems to be a pervasive fear — and when I say pervasive, I mean I feel it too — of getting too … uppity. I believe this …

I’m bad at confronting people  — I don’t always choose the right words because I’m so nervous about having the conversation in the first place —  but I’m even worse at suffering in silence.

So when something’s up between me and someone else I just have to say something, even though it’s guaranteed to be awkward and uncomfortable (at least for me).