--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be able to hear our own feelings and…" description: "\"To be able to hear our own feelings and needs and to empathize with them can free us from depression.\" — Marshall B. Rosenberg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_able_to-be-able-to-hear-our-own-feelings-and_660096.png" --- # To be able to hear our own feelings and needs and to… ![“To be able to hear our own feelings and needs and to empathize with them can free us from depression.” quote by Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_able_to-be-able-to-hear-our-own-feelings-and_660096.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_able_to-be-able-to-hear-our-own-feelings-and_660096.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_able_to-be-able-to-hear-our-own-feelings-and_660096.png) > “To be able to hear our own feelings and needs and to empathize with them can free us from depression.” [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Listening to and validating our own emotions frees us from depressive cycles. **In simple terms:** Self‑empathy reduces depression. Key Takeaway Practice self‑empathy daily. Themes mental health empathy self‑awareness well‑being Mood calm hopeful Type psychological self‑help When to use this quote - therapy - journaling - mindfulness practice - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate self‑empathy into daily routines? - What support systems complement this practice? A Different Perspective Self‑empathy alone may not cure clinical depression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Empathize Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathize-free-4465942/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Feelings Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings-needs-906190/) [Free Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-depression-4447093/) [Hear Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hear-feelings-1237354/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Needs Empathize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs-empathize-4174411/) ## Related quotes > [If the other persons behavior is not in harmony with my own needs, the more I empathize with them and their needs, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/if-the-other-persons-behavior-is-not-in-harmony-with-my-own-needs-the/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [NVC enhances inner communication by helping us translate negative internal messages into feelings and needs. Our ability to distinguish our own feelings and needs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-enhances-inner-communication-by-helping-us-translate-negative/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Our ability to offer empathy can allow us to stay vulnerable, defuse potential violence, help us hear the word 'no' without taking it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/our-ability-to-offer-empathy-can-allow-us-to-stay-vulnerable-defuse/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Eye: Lift to see me looking at you all the time. Mouth: Lift to hear my feelings towards you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-hope-guardian/eye-lift-to-see-me-looking-at-you-all-the-time-mouth-lift-to-hear-my/) [Amber Hope(Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-hope-guardian/) > [I recommend allowing others the opportunity to fully express themselves before turning our attention to solutions or requests for relief. When we proceed too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/i-recommend-allowing-others-the-opportunity-to-fully-express/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Never connect yourself with the other person's pain. Just hear their need. Leave yourself out of the other person's feelings and needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/never-connect-yourself-with-the-other-person-s-pain-just-hear-their/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [When we listen for their feelings and needs, we no longer see people as monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-we-listen-for-their-feelings-and-needs-we-no-longer-see-people/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [When we are in contact with our feelings and needs, we humans no longer make good slaves and underlings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-we-are-in-contact-with-our-feelings-and-needs-we-humans-no/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [In NVC, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/in-nvc-no-matter-what-words-others-may-use-to-express-themselves-we/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [“One is free from depression,” writes Alice Miller in The Drama of the Gifted Child, “when self-esteem is based on the authenticity of one’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/one-is-free-from-depression-writes-alice-miller-in-the-drama-of-the/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) > [“If someone told me that I could live my life again free of depression provided I was willing to give up the gifts depression…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-elkins/if-someone-told-me-that-i-could-live-my-life-again-free-of-depression/) [David Elkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-elkins/) > [“To develop empathy, we must care about the experiences, feelings, needs, and wants of the people around us. We must care enough to turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-wall/to-develop-empathy-we-must-care-about-the-experiences-feelings-needs/) [Bob Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-wall/) > [What did you do with memories, feelings, needs, that didn’t belong anywhere?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/what-did-you-do-with-memories-feelings-needs-that-didn-t-belong/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [An amazing observation: it is precisely for feelings that one needs time, not for thought. ... Feelings, obviously, are more demanding than thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-tsvetaeva/an-amazing-observation-it-is-precisely-for-feelings-that-one-needs/) [Marina Tsvetaeva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-tsvetaeva/) > [“Feelings, who needs them? Sometimes they're like a gift, when you feel love or happiness. Sometimes they're a curse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-marsden/feelings-who-needs-them-sometimes-they-re-like-a-gift-when-you-feel/) [John Marsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-marsden/) ## More by Marshall B. Rosenberg > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Understanding the other persons' needs does not mean you have to give up on your own needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/understanding-the-other-persons-needs-does-not-mean-you-have-to-give/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Plans to exact retribution are never going to make us safer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/plans-to-exact-retribution-are-never-going-to-make-us-safer/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [NVC gives us tools and understanding to create a more peaceful state of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-gives-us-tools-and-understanding-to-create-a-more-peaceful-state/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [What I want in my life is compassion a flow between myself and others based on mutual giving from the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/what-i-want-in-my-life-is-compassion-a-flow-between-myself-and-others/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Analyses of others are actually expressions of our own needs and values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/analyses-of-others-are-actually-expressions-of-our-own-needs-and/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Staying with empathy we allow speakers to touch deeper levels of themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/staying-with-empathy-we-allow-speakers-to-touch-deeper-levels-of/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Punishment is the root of violence on our planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/punishment-is-the-root-of-violence-on-our-planet/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Often, instead of offering empathy, we have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/often-instead-of-offering-empathy-we-have-a-strong-urge-to-give/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [NVC is founded on language and communication skills that strengthen our ability to remain human, even under trying conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-is-founded-on-language-and-communication-skills-that-strengthen/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Ask before offering advice or reassurance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/ask-before-offering-advice-or-reassurance/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [If you think ahead to what to say next - like how to fix it or make the person feel better - BOOM! Off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/if-you-think-ahead-to-what-to-say-next-like-how-to-fix-it-or-make-the/) [Marshall B. 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When this one concept is applied to our view of others, we'll see that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/everything-we-do-is-in-service-of-our-needs-when-this-one-concept-is/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) [Explore all 283 Marshall B. 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