Empathy: 3 Ways to Build a Bridge of Understanding

by Holly Duckworth, PhD
AwareCare Durango

Shared empathy is the cornerstone of strong relationships, especially for newer relationships. Transitioning from dating to a life-long commitment, cultivating empathy can help you deepen your emotional connection, more easily resolve conflicts, and build a foundation of trust. Practicing empathy is a skill that needs attention and development. Some practices that can help you build empathy are sharing vulnerabilities, processing forgiveness, and demonstrating active listening.

Being open with your partner about your fears, dreams, and past experiences can build empathy. When both people feel seen and heard, this demonstration of vulnerability can make it easier to empathize with each other’s challenges.

No one is perfect. No one is always right. Both of you will make mistakes on this long journey of togetherness. Choose to forgive. Approach every mistake as an opportunity for empathy to flourish. Nurture the skill of forgiveness.

One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to foster empathy is by practicing active listening. When your partner speaks, give them your full attention. Avoid interrupting or formulating responses in your head. Instead, focus on genuinely understanding their perspective and feelings. And then actively reflect back what you’ve heard to confirm you understand.

Be patient with your partner and yourself. Truly showing up with empathy requires the time and space to allow vulnerability to be expressed, to learn the art of forgiveness, and being fully present for your connection.