We’ve all been there. A friend calls us crying or sends eight paragraph-length texts in a row. Of course, we’re immediately concerned. We want to help and make them feel better in any way we can. Sometimes that backfires because we go into problem-solving mode and unintentionally invalidate our friend. No one wants their friends or loved ones to be upset. I know I become a protective mother hen when someone I love is sad or angry. It’s easy for me to take on their feelings and become just as riled up as they are. That’s not helpful, though. It’s taken a few years to really perfect being a ...