Getting emotional consent before sharing your problems

Are you guilty of picking up the phone and venting to a friend, family member or even colleague without thinking twice? "We don't get that feedback where they look stressed or frazzled or upset — so it doesn't even occur to us to stop for a minute and ask: is this a decent time?" "We don't stop and think they might be completely isolated, feeling unwell, they might be distressed, and I'm jumping in and whinging about something inconsequential compared to what they're going through," Ms Fuller says. How to ask for emotional consent Send a message in advance Give them options for if and when they can talk/listen Let them know what you need Let them know how long you need Be OK with them saying no Ms Fuller says an example message might be: "Hey, I've had something difficult happen and I'd love to tell you about it. "They might say they can talk on another day," Ms Fuller says.