Invalidate, v., to weaken, discredit, degrade, undermine another's actions or beliefs.
Sometimes we are so excited to do something, like, to start acting, go back to school to learn something new, make a you tube video of you doing a make up tutorial; but we get discouraged suddenly and abandon that dream because someone came up to you and said "you really think you can do that, at this age?", or "there's a million people trying to make it as an actor/actress in LA", "I don't think you'd be any good, you are too shy". People who take the time to doubt you, invalidate you, or give you a "constructive critique" do not deserve your attention or time. You should be around people that even if they disagree on what you have decided to do, still respect you and give you their full support and stick with you till the end.
Also, if you feel like you are being invalidated stop it right then and there, because the more you let it linger, the more you get discouraged, and the more they will continue to do it. If they do not stop after you have told them nicely, but strongly, remove them from your life, and if they are a family member, let them know that as long as they don't support you, you're not going to be around. Maybe this will make them change, but maybe they will never change, but this negativity can really destroy you.
I truly believe that if you respect yourself enough you will have people around you that will give you the respect you deserve.
