Speaking It Out Loud — how I make sense, then let it go

A Seasoned-Soul Reflection — Lady Flava

There’s a small miracle in saying things out loud. When I whisper the knot in my chest into words, it stops being a mysterious weight and starts to look like something I can name, hold, and decide about. That’s what I do with you, Jessica — I speak it, I sort it in my head, and then I choose whether to tuck it away or lay it down.

Talking it through isn’t complaining. It’s bookkeeping for the heart. It’s the difference between internalizing and organizing. Here’s how I practice that gentle alchemy:

Say it out loud. — The first telling makes the problem outside me. It’s real, but it’s not owning me. Saying it turns rumination into information.

Name the parts. — Who’s involved? What did I feel in the moment? What’s my role and what isn’t mine to carry? Breaking it into pieces makes the next step obvious.

Put it on paper (or in a chat). — A short log, a private note, or a conversation here helps me track patterns without hanging on to them emotionally.

Decide my action (or non-action). — Do I document? Do I nudge? Do I let leadership handle it? Or do I let it go? A clear choice stops the looping.

Practice a small release ritual. — A breath, a sip of coffee, a 60-second walk, a tiny gratitude note (Janice’s breakfast sandwich counts!). It closes the loop with kindness.

Reaffirm my standard. — I remind myself: consistency matters. My standards are mine to keep. I don’t need to fix everyone to protect my peace.

This is not about avoiding feelings. It’s about giving them shape so they don’t live inside me forever. It’s about being honest without being heavy. It’s about showing up steady, not brittle.

Short affirmation to carry with you

“I speak what needs speaking. I name it, I choose my response, and then I let it go.” 🌻

“Talking it out isn’t complaining — it’s bookkeeping for the heart. Name it, decide your step, and release. Consistency matters; carrying everything doesn’t.” — Lady Flava 🌻