A Life Lesson

I learned something the other day. 

It doesn't really have anything to do with anxiety but it was a very valuable life lesson for me. 

It was that words really CAN hurt people. 

I made a comment to a friend and I hadn't thought about it again. I didn't think about what I had said. It was off my mind as soon as I said it. It wasn't until the next day when she confronted me about it that I realized how upset I had made her and how hurt she was. 

In my mind, I was joking. I didn't mean for it to sound mean or for it to be hurtful. 

Seeing how hurt she was hurt me. I am not a mean person. But I felt absolutely horrible about it. I had no idea that what I had said would have such a big impact on her. 

I was so mortified and mad at myself I actually had to excuse myself. I sat in the bathroom and cried for 10 minutes. Of course, I apologized probably a hundred times but I felt like "sorry" wasn't enough. She forgave me and we moved on but it was a very sobering experience. 

My point is that you should think carefully about what you want to say. Even if at the moment it seems harmless, think about it for a second longer. Is it something you want this person to remember for the rest of their lives? Is it something you'd be okay with hearing if it was said to you? 

I wish I could take back what I said. I can't. But I wish I could. Seeing my friend upset was not worth it. And how it made me feel wasn't worth it. I beat myself up for hours that day about what I had said. 

 

Be careful with what you say. Something as simple as my words had such a negative impact on my friend. Don't let it happen to you. 

You could lose a great friend over it. A boyfriend/girlfriend. A family member. You never know what effect your words can have on someone. It's not worth it. 

So, as my grandparents, parents, teachers, relatives have all said, "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all."

With Love & Support,

Anxiety Girl - xoxo