Words are often what they are, just words. However there are instances when certain words/phrases are just daunting. There are many such phrases that insight fear, but one that sticks out to me is the phrase “we need to talk” especially if you are in a relationship with the person who comes to you with it. In my experience, this phrase hasn’t ended with a positive outcome, and this was when I was in a relationship. I try not to let this completely bias my outlook on the phrase, because as it can be bad, I believe it has the affinity to be good. That phrase has the ability to cause catastrophe in relationships, but in my recent experience, it has given room for something to blossom. There is obvious stigma with regard to this phrase, but ultimately, what matters is the intent behind it. The “we need to talk” of my past relationship was obvious to me that the end was near given the issues that were already present in my dying relationship as sad as it sounds. In that situation which I was mentally prepared to escape, those words brought some sort of relief when normally it should bring a stomach ache and ravaging nerves. However in my recent experience, those words sought out to ruin something nice and wholesome which I preferred to remain unspoken, but instead of this talk ending as bad as I expected it to, it went the exact opposite. It brought about the birth of something new where what was already established did not have to be changed or affected in any way shape or form. This just goes to show that this universally feared phrase doesn’t need to be scary, for as it can bring about the end of a relationship, it can also bring about the beginning of something beautiful.
Unruly Bodies 
Those words immediately give me anxiety. Whenever a friend or family member texts me that, I immediately go through all the things I could have done wrong, and begin crafting an apology. for me, it’s always been something I said or did maybe even while a bit too intoxicated. I like how you are kind of turning the phrase on its head, and making it so it’s not always about being in trouble, sometimes it can lead to a breakthrough.
I too was shackled by negative thoughts associated with that phrase but i’m thankfuk that positive experiences in my life have changed the connotation. I am glad you enjoyed yhe reading.
I really enjoyed reading this post. It helped me realize that there are multiple ways for a phrase to have meaning. It also comes to show that not everything in life that is labeled as negative or has held negative meanings is that way. Sometimes it is that way through perspective or the instant fear of it already being negative. But, as you said it can be something beautiful.
Exactly! this is the exact mindset we need to progress in life, because often one-track mindedness doesn’t allow us to do so but keeping an open mind to all things in life makes life that much easier.
Reading this was interesting because I’ve always thought the phrase “we need to talk” was a thing that was used in movies. It’s never triggered fear or anxiety for me because the negative connotation it came with was always in film for me and never real life. Although reading this blog and all the comments it was so interesting to learn that it was interpreted in that way and they had to learn that there’s more to it besides the negative. Loved the post!
I am glad you found interest in this post. As a movie lover myself I also thought this was something that never happened in “real life” until it did, so it was definitely refreshing as it was humbling, but like most things in this world, there are always 2 sides.
I think the words “I love you” can bring about the same extremities of emotion. Some may dread to hear it and some will be overjoyed. It is interesting how Western culture differs in displays of adoration from Eastern cultures. In the East, they are more subtle and there is more social barrier to admitting it. In the West, it is said more openly that it is a culture shock to foreigners that visit. Skin ship is more open in general. But human relations are complex and the traditions we hold are forever changing. The future trends towards being more progressive so phrases like these hopefully encourage more compassion than fear.