Talking It Out

Let me ask you this:

If you don't take care of yourself, who do you expect to do so?

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Today I want to bring up the topic of talking, but more specifically, why people shy away from expressing themselves.

To the people that know me, you know that sometimes I say the truth without thinking about the consequences. That's not necessarily a good thing, but what I've recently found is that when I speak the truth - what I'm thinking or feeling - people shy away.

Why is that?

And why should I be scared of saying what's on my mind for fear of a negative reaction?

I'm not talking about saying hurtful things... not at all! Don't be hurtful! We can all learn to think twice before we speak.

I'm talking more about confrontation. If I'm feeling a certain way towards a person - excitement, hurt, anger, gratitude - why should I have to think twice IF I am sure that what I say will not cause harm?

Let me give an example..

If you're dating someone and you happen to say to them "I really enjoy my time with you," do they automatically expect that you're hinting towards something too serious? And that small sentence bothers them so much that they cut all ties? And tell you you're great but they don't want something serious... Did anyone see the word "serious" or "relationship" or "boy/girlfriend" in the bolded sentence?

I think not.

And if that sentence does bother you and leave you feeling uncertain, then why be shy to say "Listen, me too, but I can't get into something serious right now."

So that's my first point - confrontation. Let's move on to the next.

I have met so many people that have so many things going on in their mind and stomachs but are just too nervous to let it out. That's okay to a certain extent. But when those thoughts and feelings start changing the way you eat, sleep, relate to people and do things, then it's time to take a step back and realise what's happening.

Everyone has things going on in their lives that they need to talk about - your neighbour, your cab driver, or your best friend.

*funny side note: I happened to be in a cab the other day and the driver asked me what I wanted to study. I told him psychology and then he told me, "I'm looking for a therapist, maybe one day I can come to you."*

My point here is that nobody should feel ashamed about talking about how they feel or what's going on inside their heads. Everyone needs to talk and those that choose not to, well that catches up at a later stage.

I promise you, and I'm speaking from my own experience, once you let out what's weighing you down, you will suddenly feel a physical weight lifted off your shoulders - a sense of relief and satisfaction.

So please, I'm asking you, please talk about the way you feel. Don't be hurtful to people but please say what's on your mind. It's good to be honest. We need more honesty in our world.

Talk to a parent, a friend, a therapist and at the end of the day if you're reading this, you can always talk to me :)

Take care of yourselves because if you don't, nobody else will!