Michael Sorensen

It can.

And this is a question I get fairly often because

It's very situation dependent, right?

There are many situations that I've seen where the partner continuously complains because they're not getting any validation.

You know, their partner shoots them down, says, don't feel that way, basically, right?

And they're starved for it.

And so they continue to seek for it.

And so in those instances, if that's the situation, validation can absolutely help.

Now, there are other situations where you may be the most validating human on planet Earth and they just keep coming to you because they want that and they're lapping it up and you are feeling drained, you know, beyond all get out.

And those situations is where boundaries are critical.

Right.

And having candid communication with that person.

And so if they're constantly complaining to you, you might say, hey, listen, I want to help you.

I really do.

And I love you.

I care about you.

And this is starting to feel draining for me.

I'm having a hard time knowing how to help you because I feel like every time we talk, you're just complaining.

Do you have any thoughts on how we might address that?

It really is, especially with a significant other, right, your spouse or a family member.