don't invalidate someone's pain just because you have endured more. pain is not a competition. everyone feels it in their own way. when you compare your struggles to someone else's, you run the risk of dismissing and invalidating their feelings, which can make them feel alone, misunderstood, or even ashamed of what they are going through. we all handle hard times differently. what feels easy to you may be too heavy for someone else. and sometimes the kindest thing we can do is listen and let them feel safe enough.