The Recommendation Room

Have you ever felt the weight of an unspoken conversation?

You are lying in bed, replaying a moment over and over. A conversation. A meeting with your boss. Something that did not sit right. Instead of resting, your mind spirals into the unknown of what was not said. The pressure builds. The doubt creeps in. That quiet voice whispers that maybe you are not good enough, or that it is better to stay silent.

As we continue reflecting and preparing for 2026, this feeling has been sitting with me deeply.

So often, we carry emotional weight from conversations we avoid. Things we wish we had said, truths we softened too much, or boundaries we did not voice. It can show up with coworkers, family, friends, or even within ourselves. And the longer we hold it in, the heavier it becomes.

Last night, I laid awake for hours thinking about something as simple as a performance review that did not sit well with me. Today, I finally addressed it. I spoke honestly about who I am and how I operate. Almost instantly, the weight lifted. The relief did not come from winning or being right. It came from finally releasing what I was carrying.

What I continue to learn is this.

You can speak your truth.

You can share how you feel.

And how you do it matters.

When you lead with calm, clarity, and intention, and when you take responsibility instead of placing blame, authentic conversations become freeing instead of confrontational. Above all, when you show up as your authentic self, the outcome no longer feels so frightening.

The closer I get to being fully authentic, the more I realize that nothing bad truly comes from honesty rooted in respect.

So I will leave you with this.

What conversations are you avoiding?

What thoughts keep you awake at night?

What emotional weight are you carrying that you do not need to bring into 2026?

Maybe it is time to let it go.