10 Simple Ways to Show Empathy Sincerely

Published Nov 16, 2020

In the dictionary, empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Take note of the keywords “understand” and “share”. This means that empathy is not just about sympathizing with or showing pity for others.

Empathy is putting yourself in another’s shoes. It’s about seeing their struggles from their own perspective and feeling their sorrow as it is your own. It’s the ability to visualize yourself in that person’s situation.

All of us have different experiences that molded us into who we are today. These experiences also shape our perceptions of things and people. This is why it’s not always easy to understand what others are going through. We did not experience all that they had experienced so it’s hard to imagine ourselves in their situations.

For instance, people who have never been homeless will find it difficult to truly understand how it is to have no place to call home. If you’ve never lost a child, it can be hard to put yourself in a grieving mother’s shoes. If you’ve never experienced depression, it won’t be easy for you to relate with people who had to live with it.

But we can always TRY to understand where they’re coming from. We don’t always need to experience homelessness to empathize with homeless people. Nor do we need to lose a loved one to empathize with those who did. What matters is the willingness to understand their circumstances from their point of view.

This is why showing empathy is not just about words. It’s a lot more about actions. It’s in how you make people feel that someone still cares. You don’t always need grand gestures to show that you empathize. You can express it even in the little things you do. Here’s how to show empathy in ten simple ways:

1. Listen With a Goal to Understand

Most of the time, people just need someone to unload to. This is why listening is one of the first steps to showing empathy. So if you do decide to lend your ear to someone, listen with a goal to understand.

Many of us don’t really like listening to people whining about their lot in life. Especially if we too have our own burdens to bear. So most of the time, their words just go in one ear and out the other. We listen just for the sake of listening and not because we want to understand.

Let them talk with no interruption. Let them pour their heart out. Read between the lines. Listen not just to their words but to the silent screams of frustration welling up inside them. Sometimes, it takes only one person who is willing to listen to take someone out of their misery.

2. Ask With Genuine Curiosity

Questions like “How are you?” or “How’s your day” can be a great conversation opener. But most of the time, we only ask people those questions out of politeness rather than genuine curiosity. That’s why most conversations start and end with those questions.

But if you really want to understand someone, you need to dig deeper. Show that you are interested in what they have to say. Rather than just asking how their day went, let them talk about something interesting that happened to them. But not in a way that makes them feel like they’re in a job interview or in a therapist’s office. Asking people about their experiences and opinions shows that you care.

3. Be Present

Nothing can be more irritating than talking to someone who’s physically present but is mentally wandering around. So imagine what the other person would feel if you’re staring at your gadget the whole time you were talking. We get that listening to others about their problems can be awkward or boring at times. So the temptation to doze off or play with your gadget can be hard to resist.

This is why being present is a great way to show sympathy. If you can keep your focus on the person in front of you, it will tell them that you’re willing to listen. It shows that you really care about them and that you’re someone they can pour their heart out to.

4. Let Go of Your Biases

All of us are guilty of having biases and prejudices. But it doesn’t mean we can’t unlearn them. If you really want to sincerely show empathy to others, you first need to let go of all your biases. Learn to listen with an open mind. Remember, we all have different experiences. All of us are fighting a battle that nobody but us knows about. So don’t be too quick to judge anyone without first understanding their motivations.