What is an I statement?

An "I statement" is a communication tool used to express feelings, thoughts, or experiences from a personal perspective, focusing on one's own emotions rather than placing blame on others. It typically follows a structure that includes "I feel" followed by an emotion, "when" describing the situation, and "because" explaining why. This approach can help facilitate constructive dialogue and reduce defensiveness in conversations. For example, "I feel upset when you interrupt me because it makes me feel unheard."