How To Have An Uncomfortable Conversation (Without Making It Painful)

Has something or someone been bothering you lately? Do you need to get something off your chest? Is it time to let someone know an awful truth? Are you nervous to say what it is that you have to say? Doesn’t the thought of painful conversations make you cringe? Don’t hold it in. Don’t let these things sit on your mind and bother you just because the conversation may be a difficult one to have. Although, the topic at hand may be a sore one, the conversation doesn’t have to be.

Before you jump headfirst into an uncomfortable exchange, think about whether the conversation is even necessary. What purpose does it serve? Is anything going to be resolved after this conversation? Will this conversation change anything at all? Is the person willing to even hear what you have to say? If you have positive answers to those questions, then consider the fact that a painful conversation could still cause more damage. Are you still willing to take that risk? Are you willing to lose a friend or loved one over this topic? You must take into consideration all of the possibilities.

After concluding that the conversation is necessary, don’t push it off. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t dwell on it. Have the talk. Prolonging it will only make matters worse. You may become increasingly upset about the subject at hand. You may have waited so long that your problem is beyond the person that you need to talk to. Waiting to have the conversation may also make it less likely that the conversation will even be had. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to have built the courage you thought you needed to start the conversation. Go ahead and get it off your chest. Rip the band-aid off.

While engaging in this talk, don’t come from a place of anger. Although you may be upset, anger doesn’t solve anything at all. The only thing you’re going to achieve by coming to someone with hostility is more hostility. Don’t incite more anger. Now that the both of you are upset, no one is going to be open to listening to what each other has to say. The message that you were trying to convey is now lost. The point you were trying to make is no longer clear. All that’s left is two mad individuals and room for yet another painful conversation to be had.

Consider the topic at hand. Say what you need to say when you need to say it. Don’t be aggressive. Awkward engagements don’t always have to turn into painful conversations.