"We Listen and We Don't Judge"

2025, the year to effectively listen to loved ones.

Effective communication is paramount socialization. Corresponding to this social human experience is effective listening. Listening to understand, not to formulate judgment and/or rebuttals. Effective listening allows the speaker to feel heard and understood. Listening to understand is not an indication that the listener agrees with what is being said. Listening, promotes peaceful exchange and may facilitate an environment for consensus. Here are some tips to help you effectively listen and not judge your loved ones in 2025:

1. Face speaking, when at all possible, in person communication is highly recommended for effective listening.

2. Eye contact, usually holding the other person gaze for 2-4 seconds at a time with periodic unlocks. This act allows the speaker to feel seen.

3. Relax and be calm. Mirror the speakers comfort level. If the speaker is standing, stand. If the speaker sits, then you sit. This act, indicate, I want to give you my undivided attention.

4. Listening for expressed feelings.

5. Be nonjudgemental, receive what is being said to understand. Remember you cannot tell a person how to feel or think. You can seek only to understand.

6. I recommend periodic summarizing or paraphrasing, what is shared. This will help verify if your comprehension of said subject is as expressed.

   simple example of summarization is, "what I hear you say..." or "If i heard correctly..." This allows the speaker an opportunity to correct any misunderstandings.

   We listen and we do not judge is recommended for more than a Tik Tok trend, I highly recommend it for effective listening 2025. Happy New Year!!

Disclaimer: You cannot reason with people with mental health issues such as narcissism, borderline disorders and/or, who are not receiving professional help. You should not stay and try to Isten to anyone who is verbally abusing you. Walk away. In those cases, the best form of effective listening, is not listening.