The #1 Mistake We Make When Someone’s Struggling

Picture this:

A friend tells you they’re overwhelmed. They feel lost, disconnected, unsure what to do next.
And you say something like:

Stop. Right there.

Here’s the truth:
People don’t open up to be fixed.
They open up to be felt.

The mistake we make? Jumping to solutions.
But offering help too soon can feel like saying, “You’re broken, and I know better.”

What helps instead is presence.

Try this:

1. Sit with the silence.

2. Say, “That sounds really hard.”

3. Ask, “Do you want me to listen, or do you want help solving?”

This one question can change everything.

Because when someone’s in pain, they don’t want a toolbox.
They want a witness.