It’s frustrating when someone tries to downplay or dismiss how you feel.
Whether they mean well or not, invalidating your emotions can leave you feeling unheard and misunderstood.
But don’t worry – there are clever, respectful ways to respond that can help you stand your ground while keeping the conversation constructive. Here are some of the best responses you can use when someone tries to invalidate your feelings.
Top List Of Best Responses to Someone Who Invalidates Your Feelings
- “I Understand That You See It Differently, But This Is How I Feel.”
- “I Don’t Need You To Agree With Me, Just To Hear Me Out.”
- “My Feelings Aren’t Up For Debate.”
- “I’m Not Looking For Solutions, Just Support.”
- “It’s Okay If You Don’t Get It, But Please Don’t Dismiss It.”
- “My Emotions Are Valid, Even If You Don’t Share Them.”
- “Everyone Experiences Things Differently.”
- “I Deserve To Feel How I Feel.”
- “It’s Not About Being Right; It’s About How I Feel.”
- “This Is Real For Me.”
- “I’m Not Asking For Validation, Just Acknowledgment.”
- “It’s Hurtful When My Feelings Are Dismissed.”
- “I Know Myself Best, And This Is How I Feel.”
- “You Don’t Have To Agree To Understand.”
- “Let’s Focus On How We Can Move Forward.”
- “It’s Okay To Feel Different, But I Still Need Respect.”
- “I’m Not Asking You To Change My Feelings, Just To Accept Them.”
- “This Isn’t A Competition About Who Feels Worse.”
- “I Don’t Need You To Like My Feelings, Just To Respect Them.”
- “I’m Allowed To Feel This Way.”
1. “I Understand That You See It Differently, But This Is How I Feel.”
Sometimes, people just have different perspectives. This response acknowledges that while they may not see things your way, your emotions are still valid.
Examples:
- “I get that you might not feel the same, but this is real for me.”
- “I understand your point, but I still feel hurt.”
- “You’re allowed your opinion, but this is how I’m experiencing things.”
2. “I Don’t Need You To Agree With Me, Just To Hear Me Out.”
This reminds them that your feelings don’t need to be justified, just acknowledged.
Examples:
- “You don’t have to agree, just listen.”
- “I’m not asking for agreement, just understanding.”
- “You don’t need to see it my way, just respect that this is how I feel.”
3. “My Feelings Aren’t Up For Debate.”
A firm but polite way to shut down any attempts to argue about your emotions.
Examples:
- “How I feel isn’t something we need to argue over.”
- “This isn’t a debate; it’s about how I’m feeling.”
- “My feelings aren’t something to be debated or dismissed.”
4. “I’m Not Looking For Solutions, Just Support.”
Often, people try to fix the situation instead of simply acknowledging how you feel. This makes it clear you’re not asking for advice.
Examples:
- “I don’t need a fix, just someone to listen.”
- “I’m not looking for solutions, just empathy.”
- “Can we focus on support, not solutions?”
5. “It’s Okay If You Don’t Get It, But Please Don’t Dismiss It.”
This acknowledges that they might not understand your emotions, but they mustn’t invalidate them.
Examples:
- “You might not fully understand, but please don’t dismiss how I feel.”
- “It’s okay if it doesn’t make sense to you, just don’t dismiss it.”
- “You don’t have to get it, but I still need you to respect it.”
6. “My Emotions Are Valid, Even If You Don’t Share Them.”
A reminder that different feelings are valid, even if someone else doesn’t feel the same way.
Examples:
- “Just because you don’t feel it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”
- “My feelings are valid, even if yours are different.”
- “You don’t have to feel the same, but that doesn’t make mine less real.”
7. “Everyone Experiences Things Differently.”
This response brings attention to the uniqueness of everyone’s emotional reactions and how they process situations.
Examples:
- “What works for you might not work for me, and that’s okay.”
- “We all experience emotions differently, and this is how I’m feeling.”
- “Not everyone reacts the same way, and this is how it is for me.”
8. “I Deserve To Feel How I Feel.”
Affirming your right to your emotions can help you stand firm.
Examples:
- “I deserve to feel this way without being judged.”
- “I have a right to my feelings, just like anyone else.”
- “I deserve to feel how I feel, even if it’s uncomfortable for others.”
9. “It’s Not About Being Right; It’s About How I Feel.”
This makes it clear that the conversation isn’t about proving a point, but about acknowledging your emotional state.
Examples:
- “This isn’t about right or wrong, it’s about my feelings.”
- “I’m not trying to be right, just to express how I feel.”
- “It’s not a matter of correctness, but how this situation affects me.”
10. “This Is Real For Me.”
Straightforward, this response emphasizes that your feelings are real and valid, regardless of others’ opinions.
Examples:
- “You may not see it, but this is very real for me.”
- “This situation feels real to me, and that’s what matters.”
- “Whether or not you understand, it’s real for me.”
11. “I’m Not Asking For Validation, Just Acknowledgment.”
This makes it clear that you don’t need someone’s permission to feel the way you do.
Examples:
- “I’m not looking for validation, just for you to acknowledge my feelings.”
- “I don’t need validation, just some acknowledgement.”
- “Acknowledgment is all I’m asking for, not validation.”
12. “It’s Hurtful When My Feelings Are Dismissed.”
Pointing out how dismissing your emotions affects you, encourages more thoughtful dialogue.
Examples:
- “It hurts when you dismiss how I’m feeling.”
- “I feel hurt when my emotions are brushed off.”
- “It’s painful when my feelings aren’t taken seriously.”
13. “I Know Myself Best, And This Is How I Feel.”
No one knows your emotions better than you do, and this response asserts your authority over your feelings.
Examples:
- “I know myself better than anyone, and this is how I feel.”
- “I’m the expert on my feelings, which is real for me.”
- “No one knows how I feel better than me.”
14. “You Don’t Have To Agree To Understand.”
It’s possible to show understanding without needing full agreement, and this response conveys that.
Examples:
- “You don’t have to agree with me, just understand my perspective.”
- “Understanding doesn’t mean you have to agree.”
- “I’m asking for understanding, not agreement.”
15. “Let’s Focus On How We Can Move Forward.”
Sometimes, the best thing to do is steer the conversation toward resolution instead of focusing on the disagreement.
Examples:
- “How can we move forward from here?”
- “Let’s find a way to address our feelings and move on.”
- “What can we do to make sure we’re both heard?”
16. “It’s Okay To Feel Different, But I Still Need Respect.”
Acknowledging the difference in feelings while requesting respect for your emotions can diffuse tension.
Examples:
- “We may not feel the same, but respect is still important.”
- “It’s fine if we’re different, but please respect how I feel.”
- “You can feel differently, but I need respect for my emotions.”
17. “I’m Not Asking You To Change My Feelings, Just To Accept Them.”
A gentle reminder that you’re not looking for a fix, just acceptance.
Examples:
- “I don’t need you to change how I feel, just accept that it’s real for me.”
- “I’m not asking for a solution, just acceptance.”
- “You don’t need to fix it, just accept it.”
18. “This Isn’t A Competition About Who Feels Worse.”
Sometimes, invalidation stems from comparison. This response shuts that down quickly.
Examples:
- “This isn’t a competition; it’s about how I feel right now.”
- “We don’t need to compare our pain, just respect each other’s feelings.”
- “It’s not about who’s worse off; it’s about how I feel in this moment.”
19. “I Don’t Need You To Like My Feelings, Just To Respect Them.”
A respectful but firm response that separates liking from respecting your emotions.
Examples:
- “You don’t have to like my feelings, but respect is necessary.”
- “I’m not asking for you to agree, just to respect my experience.”
- “Whether or not you agree, I need respect for how I feel.”
20. “I’m Allowed To Feel This Way.”
A direct assertion of your right to your emotions.
Examples:
- “I’m allowed to feel this way, regardless of how others see it.”
- “No one can tell me I’m not allowed to feel how I do.”
- “I have a right to my feelings, just like anyone else.”
Conclusion
Standing up for your feelings can be tough, especially when someone tries to invalidate them. By using these thoughtful responses, you can set boundaries and ensure your emotions are respected, without escalating the conversation. Remember, your feelings are valid, and you deserve to be heard.
𝐈’𝐦 Poppy Snow 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 “𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 ” 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬. 𝐈 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐀𝐭 “𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬” 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫.
Celia Anne 
Gracie Mae