💌 Connection #14: Empty Words

1 idea, 1 practice, 1 question

Hi friend,

Here’s 1 idea, 1 practice, and 1 question to create more expansive connections.

One idea to consider

In our culture, there's a noticeable deficit in emotional literacy, a gap that's often bridged with empty words or phrases.

It's not uncommon to hear "I'm bored" or "I'm stressed" in everyday chatter, as these phrases have become the norm. These phrases are often used as a blanket term to cover a a range of emotions, whether we're dealing with sadness, anger, fear, joy, fatigue, despair, shame, sorrow, panic, or even deep depression.

Empty words gloss over the intricate landscape of our emotions, bundling distinct feelings like sadness, fear, elation, or despair into vague, one-size-fits-all descriptors.

These overused words lack the specificity required to genuinely understand or communicate our emotional state. They are placeholders, devoid of the depth needed to foster true connection or self-awareness.

In contrast, a person adept in the language of emotions would choose their words with care, articulating their state of mind with precision. They would recognize that calling everything "stress" blurs the rich texture of human experience and would instead identify each emotion for what it is, fostering greater empathy and self-understanding.

One practice to try on

If you’re about to use any of the following words, try swapping it out with something different and specific.

Stressed
Bored
Tired
Interesting
Overwhelmed
Busy
Fine
Okay
Good

One question to ask

“What’s a dream you’ve had that you’re still thinking about?”

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