I was recently watching Hulu’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and I was fascinated by how quick the women are to give advice. These eight TikTok-famous influencers describe wanting to empower women by showcasing their healthy and encouraging sisterhood. Of course, viewers know that this flood of unsolicited advice framed as emotional support sometimes does more harm than good.

One recurring issue throughout the season is whether Taylor Franke Paul, one of the women from “MomTok,” should continue a relationship with Dakota, the father of her recent baby. Throughout the season, she’s bombarded with opinions from every direction: who’s at fault, what she should do, and how she should feel. Taking the portrayal at face value, it’s evident that this treatment takes a toll on her emotional well-being.

When friends come to us faced with a big decision, it’s tempting to jump in with what we think will help. However, giving quick advice to people we care about can often backfire. Before offering advice, consider asking them these three questions:

When someone comes to us with a problem, it’s easy to assume they want advice. But sometimes, what they really need is someone to listen. In........

© Psychology Today