The art of having difficult conversations

Most conversations go haywire because of two things:

1. Having unhealthy judgements
2. Communicating those judgments in a toxic way.

Oddly enough, it feels satisfying to dump unfiltered thoughts onto someone and just let it out. If anything this is damaging as it creates more toxicity and destroys relationships.

Holding in unpleasant thoughts and feelings is no better either because sooner or later the pent-up toxicity explodes anyway. So what the heck does one do?

Welcome to the art of difficult conversations.

Recognising our feelings and expressing them consciously, is a skill most of us never learn.

But it all starts by being aware.

If you’re feeling anger towards someone, start by writing out all your thoughts and judgments about them. This step alone can offer a fresh perspective and sometimes even uncover some surprising truths.

Besides, when you accept can no longer have power over you.

While you may not always choose what you feel towards someone, you can absolutely choose how you respond. This is a total game-changer. It involves the difficult step of acknowledging your role in the toxic cycle.

In essence, it’s about taking unconditional responsibility.

The more you own your part of the situation, the better the chances at finding common ground.

Understanding the other person’s side is as critical as presenting your own. You can forget about trying to get through to someone unless you also explore their perspective, intentions, and whatever else might be at stake for them.

Applying empathy can make your judgments that once dominated an interaction, fly right out of the window.

Leaning in with this level of consciousness is all it takes to make your difficult conversations, easier and consequently transform your relationships.

Give it a go.

Why some people quit before their time

Stephen Boss, better known as tWitch, famous for his dance moves and co-hosting The Ellen Show, shocked the world by taking his life at the age of 40.

tWitch seemed so full of life and love to his friends, family and national television that no one including his wife saw this coming.

Suicide remains one of the most complex and misunderstood phenomena. The hardest part is never truly knowing what someone is going through inside, regardless of how they seem on the outside.

This conversation with Jenny Thrasher put so much in perspective about why people feel provoked to end their lives and the untold factors that contribute to suicide.

Key highlights from this incredibly enlightening episode include:

-The signs and effects of a dysregulated nervous system
-The correlation between brain development and anxiety
-What puts us at risk of suicide
-The 3 biggest factors that contribute to suicide and the 3 steps to prevent it

Above all, you’ll understand yourself at a level like never before while also learning how to better support a loved one who may be going through distress.

The neglected version of growth

In recent years, social media has fueled a rising fixation with grand achievements.

But growth is just as much about the process and the little things that often go neglected. Here’s a reminder to appreciate your smallest yet most significant wins:

In case you missed me last week

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