The Body Speaks First
Navigating Hard Conversations
Hello and Happy Monday,
This week, I’ve been thinking about how hard it can be to have truly difficult conversations, especially in professional environments where personal and professional lines often blur. Someone in my life recently had to face one of these conversations with a co-worker, and it reminded me just how layered adult relationships are. Respect, anger, hurt, and empathy can all coexist in a tangled web of emotions, making it hard to know where to begin.
When we’re in the midst of these moments, finding the right approach can feel overwhelming. One way I’ve found clarity is by leading with the body first. Our physical reactions often tell us more than we realize—what feels wrong in the gut or where tension arises can serve as a guide for how to frame these conversations.
For instance, instead of saying, “I felt really upset,” which might invite assumptions or defensiveness, you could say, “That comment made me tense up.” Similarly, instead of “I felt anxious,” you might describe, “I was really shaky during the meeting.” Of course, you can share both—the emotion and the physical response—but describing what your body experienced can often feel simpler and less charged, while also being universally relatable.
There’s real power in naming emotions, but sometimes the body speaks louder, cutting through the noise of interpretation. It’s also a way to anchor the conversation in shared human experiences. Everyone knows what tension, shakiness, or a knot in the stomach feels like, even if they don’t fully grasp the nuance behind the emotion.
Once you’ve named your reaction—whether it’s emotional, physical, or both—you can use that as a starting point to reflect on what you need moving forward. Do you need more support from the other person? More space? More trust? These conversations aren’t just about expressing what happened; they’re about setting the groundwork for a better dynamic in the future.
Difficult conversations don’t always have a tidy resolution, but approaching them with honesty about your experience—especially starting with what your body is telling you—can create a foundation for deeper understanding. And in a world where professional and personal often overlap, finding clarity in the body can be a way to navigate the complexity with a little more ease.
Wishing you clarity and courage for the week ahead.
M x