When she starts talking about how she thinks the divorce is going to go, STFU and listen. A response isn't required.
bttrfly is 100% right.
As generally softer/more compassionate human beings, LBS are often people who are uncomfortable with silence. We feel like we have to do or say something or interact somehow to overcome the weirdness of awkward silence.
You don’t! It’s entirely reasonable to say nothing. Don’t interact, don’t validate, don’t attempt to fix, don’t agree, don’t empathise … you just sit there in silence or say “I’m listening”.
My brother is an ED social worker who works with mainly mental health and substance abuse issues. He said silence is better than ANYTHING to make the other person think carefully about their actions and what they’re saying.
He said to embrace the awkward silence. It’s a very powerful tool.
