One thing I have never understood…

When you’re going through difficult times and someone tells you, “Other people are going through worse.”

Is that supposed to be comforting ?

What does that change about your situation ?

[b]Why[/b] would that make you feel better ?

And seriously, what kind of person feels [b]better[/b] for knowing others are in worse shape than they are ? 🥺

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AlchemyFox · 36-40, F

I might pull that trick on my 8 year old to get him to eat healthy, but it’s bs for those big emotions.

Everyone goes through stuff with their own tolerance. All that’s important is people feel supported. When people bring up their own problems or other’s problems when you need that support, it’s a slap in the face. Like your feelings aren’t as important.

We’ve really messed up our mental health with all these insensitive one size fits all cliches, it’s sad.

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

@AlchemyFox Furthermore, it makes you feel guilty for feeling bad because your situation isn't as horrible as someone elses.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@AlchemyFox And even when we tell this to children about eating, I think a lot of people misunderstand it.

When I was little and expressed a dislike for the food in front of me, my mother told me I should appreciate the food because there were people in the world who were starving. A lot of people seem to trivialize what their mothers said along these lines, laughing at the illogical thought that eating the food would someone cause the other people stop starving. But clearly that is not what our mothers meant.

AlchemyFox · 36-40, F

@DrWatson Exactly. I just want him to be grateful how good he has it and take the opportunity to nourish himself.

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bijouxbroussard · F

@AlchemyFox My brother, at four, put his broccoli in an envelope and told our mother he wanted to send it to whoever was starving. He did not understand why that wasn’t the solution. 😄

AlchemyFox · 36-40, F

@bijouxbroussard Awwww that’s really sweet but also child eat your broccoli 😆

bowman81 · M

@bijouxbroussard Bravo for you brother....me? I just fed the junk to the dog. Surreptitiously of course.

I do say that to myself, sort of a kick in the butt to get me going. Sometimes it even works.

bijouxbroussard · F

@bowman81 As self-talk I understand it. Sometimes I tell myself other people have gotten through harder things, because I know it’s true. But it’s not helpful when someone else says it.