Hey friends 👋 Ever felt like you had something tough to say, but you didn't want to come off as mean or hurtful? Same here. For the longest time, I used to bottle things up just to "keep the peace." But it always backfired—either I'd explode later 😤 or feel invisible 😶.

Eventually, I realized: expressing negative emotions is not the problem. It's how we express them that makes the difference.

Let me share what helped me find that balance—and I hope it helps you too 🧡

Start by checking in with yourself

Before saying anything, pause and ask yourself:

"What exactly am I feeling?"

Is it disappointment, stress, feeling ignored, or maybe just overwhelmed?

Being clear with yourself first helps you avoid saying something vague like "You never listen!" when what you really mean is "I felt a bit unseen during our talk earlier."

Clarity reduces blame—and blame is what usually causes the damage.

Use "I" instead of "You"

This one changed the game for me!

Instead of saying,

"You make me so mad when you're late!"

Try this:

"I feel anxious and disrespected when things run late because I value time a lot."

It's not about sugarcoating your feelings. It's about owning them without making the other person feel attacked. People listen better when they don't feel like they're on trial.

Don't let emotions stew

I used to sit on my feelings for days. But the longer we hold things in, the messier they come out 😬

If something bothers you, try addressing it sooner rather than later—once you've calmed down and gathered your thoughts. A calm "Hey, can we talk about something that's been bugging me?" goes a long way.

Take breaks when needed

Sometimes, we get too heated. If you feel like you're about to snap, it's 100% okay to say:

"I care about this conversation, but I need 10 minutes to breathe and gather my thoughts."

That's not weakness—it's emotional wisdom 🧘

Not every feeling needs a solution

Sometimes we just need to be heard, not "fixed."

So if someone is opening up to you, try listening fully before giving advice. And when you're expressing yourself, let them know:

"I don't need a fix—just a safe space to let this out."

So… have you ever said something in the heat of the moment and regretted it later? 🙋‍♀️

Let me know how you handle tough feelings.

Let's grow together and build better, kinder conversations 💬❤️