Empathizing with Loved Ones
Empathy
•
4m 5s
Mary Mackenzie, Certified NVC Trainer:
Mary Mackenzie explains that empathizing with our closest loved ones can be difficult because they matter so deeply to us, past experiences might create emotional barriers, and we might fear losing ourselves in the process.
To grow our empathy skills, we must trust that we can care for both ourselves and others, practice empathy with people outside our inner circle, and ensure our emotional needs are met. Developing a consistent self-empathy practice and taking small steps—starting with receptive loved ones—can make the process easier. Holding ourselves with compassion and remembering why we value these relationships helps sustain our efforts. With practice, empathy for loved ones becomes more natural and transformative.
Keywords:
- Mary Mackenzie
- NVC fundamentals
- self empathy
- relationships
Up Next in Empathy
-
Empathy Buddy Practice Helps Develop ...
Mary Mackenzie, Certified NVC Trainer:
Are you looking to deepen your connection to Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and build powerful empathy skills? In this short video, Mary Mackenzie shares how finding an empathy buddy transformed her life and practice. From learning to give and rec...
-
Making Your Empathy Guesses More Natural
Mary Mackenzie, Certified NVC Trainer:
Join Mary Mackenzie as she offers a simple approach incorporating NVC into everyday conversations. Her observation is that sometimes speaking NVC empath guesses of feelings and needs can feel un-natural or robotic. A possible solution is to slight...
-
What is Empathy?
Mary Mackenzie, Certified NVC Trainer:
Mary Mackenzie explores empathy as a form of presence—truly understanding someone else's world without imposing our own perspective. Using Nonviolent Communication (NVC), she shows a simple yet profound process for expressing th...
