Empathy Workshop: First Steps in Nonviolent Communication
On January 30, together with Creatosphere, we held an “Empathy Workshop“, where we explored how the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) method can help us build more authentic and connected relationships—both with ourselves and with others.
Ten of us gathered in the cozy space of Dream in My Pocket Foundation to talk about feelings and needs—the foundation of true understanding between people.
What Separates and Connects Us in Communication
We started by identifying the elements that separate us from others and those that connect us. We explored the importance of listening, validation, and feedback as key skills in building empathetic relationships.
We worked with the feelings and needs iceberg, using a familiar scenario—a conflict with a parent. Stepping into the perspective of both sides, we tried to recognize the feelings and needs behind their words and reactions. This helped us realize how often conflicts stem from unmet needs and how empathy can bring them to the surface.
Practice: The 9-Minute Empathy Exercise
Next, we put our learning into practice with the “9-Minute Empathy” exercise. Each participant shared a real conflict situation, while another person attempted to recognize the feelings and needs behind it.
This practice showed us how transformative it can be when someone truly tries to understand us—rather than offering advice or responding automatically.
We also explored the concept of pseudo-feelings—words that sound like emotions but actually express judgments and blame. This led to a powerful realization that will stay with us:
“No one can make you feel anything.”
From there, we discussed how we can integrate the language of NVC into our daily lives—not just in conflicts but in all forms of communication.
How Did We End?
With a gong! A symbolic conclusion reminding us that the process of learning and self-awareness doesn’t stop here—many more events await, where we’ll continue exploring the power of empathy and Nonviolent Communication.
Stay tuned for our upcoming gatherings and the launch of our NVC practitioner community, which we’ll be announcing very soon!
This is my inspiration for this theme and it is something I recently discovered as a mindset. I found new logic for my entire life through caring for another and how much hope that brings to an individual when they have to do things to make another creature’s life better and not their own. Which of course makes everyone in the equation happy.