The Brian Lehrer Show Best (and Worst) Things to Say to Someone Experiencing a Breakup
Aug 21, 2025
Listeners share valuable tips for comforting friends through heartbreak, highlighting both helpful and harmful phrases. The impact of timing in relationships and breakups is examined, shedding light on the significance of empathy during healing. Insights reveal the challenges posed by well-intentioned advice, emphasizing the need for compassionate communication. Personal stories enhance the understanding of how to support those grieving a lost relationship, making it clear that not all words of comfort are created equal.
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Acknowledge And Normalize Feelings
- Acknowledge the breakup plainly when you're unsure what to say: "That's really big news."
- Normalize mixed feelings by saying, "It makes sense to feel a lot of different things right now."
Avoid Toxic Positivity
- Avoid toxic positivity like "time heals all wounds" or "I never liked them anyway."
- Instead, say validating phrases such as "You did your best" to honor effort in the relationship.
Relationships Are About Timing
- Astrid finds comfort in the idea that relationships are about timing rather than failure.
- She uses this perspective to move past heartbreak and to comfort others.