“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” was a childhood playground chant I often heard (and used myself) when someone said something cruel. The idea was simple: you might be able to hurt me with physical force, but not with insults.
There’s some truth to this. Words can’t physically hurt us. And it is helpful to maintain composure no matter what’s happening outside of us, since we can’t control other people’s behavior. Staying grounded allows us to formulate more thoughtful responses that align with our goals and values, rather than lashing out and compounding the issue.
But here’s the thing: words matter. They matter far more than we often admit.
Whether they’re internal thoughts or spoken aloud, words communicate ideas that often lead to action. They can inspire, deflate, soothe, or enrage. They spark movements and shape identities. If words didn’t matter, music, poetry, literature, and speeches wouldn’t stir our hearts or change the course of history.
In today’s digital world, it’s even more important to consider the weight of our words. It has never been easier to post a reactive comment online without considering the ripple effect, amplified by millions of other comments. Lashing out might feel good for a moment, but it rarely leads to understanding, meaningful connection, or lasting change.
This is why the old adage “think before you speak” remains timeless wisdom. But this isn’t about crafting words to manipulate or emotionally wound others. Because emotional harm, over time, can fuel physical harm. Wars always begin with words.
So how do we shift from emotional and interpersonal escalation toward deeper understanding and connection?
Mindfulness and Conflict Resolution Start With Self-Care
Healthy communication begins with how we take care of ourselves. When you feel physically and emotionally well, you’re less reactive and more capable of thoughtful responses.
Spend time in nature to reset your nervous system.
Move your body through exercise, dance, or whatever movement feels good.
Eat nourishing foods that give you energy rather than drain it.
Get enough sleep to regulate emotions.
Do things that inspire joy and creativity.
Connect with supportive people who lift you up.
Limit what drags you down. This might mean setting boundaries with toxic relationships, saying no more often, or limiting your exposure to the Internet and social media.
There’s so much misinformation, hateful speech, and uninspiring noise online. If scrolling doesn’t leave you feeling more grounded or inspired, it’s a sign to set limits. Use technology intentionally, in ways that align with your goals and values.
When you care for yourself, you boost your mood, increase patience, and naturally approach communication with more empathy and clarity.
Healthy Communication Strategies in Relationships and Conflict
Even when we’re living our best lives, negativity and conflict are inevitable. Haters gonna hate and misery loves company.
In these situations, even the most grounded among us can feel the body’s stress response: racing heart, sweaty palms, tightness in the chest or throat. That discomfort makes us want to release pressure as quickly as possible, often by lashing out.
Anger is justified when boundaries are violated, or goals are blocked. But reacting impulsively rarely achieves what we want—understanding, respect, or genuine change.
Here are some mindful communication strategies to help you respond more effectively:
1. Slow Down and Breathe
When we’re triggered, our nervous system floods with stress. Higher-level thinking goes offline, which is why focusing, reasoning, or problem-solving feels impossible.
Pause. Take a breath. Take more breaths until your body begins to settle. Sometimes, we need to move (walk, run, stretch, dance) to release the energy before we can respond thoughtfully.
2. Take a Timeout
If needed, remove yourself from the triggering source. Tell the other person you need space and will return to the conversation later. With online negativity, it’s even easier: log off.
3. Listen With Curiosity and Respect
If the other person is open to genuine dialogue, practice active listening. Thoughtful listening doesn’t mean agreement, it means creating the conditions for mutual understanding.
But don’t waste energy on those unwilling to respect your boundaries. You don’t have to tolerate name calling, yelling, or manipulation.
4. How to Deal With Online Trolls and Attention-Seekers
Some people thrive on conflict, control, or manipulation. Often, they want attention, not resolution. The most effective strategy? Refuse to engage. When you stop feeding the dynamic, their power shrinks.
5. Use Objective Truth Before Emotion
Start conversations with what can be observed through the five senses, the objective truth, before moving into feelings or opinions. In a world filled with misinformation, committing to facts builds common ground.
Then, express how those facts impact you personally using I statements. For example: “When you raised your voice, I thought I was being shut down and felt unsafe.” This approach avoids blame while still naming the impact.
6. Approach With Curiosity, Not Superiority
Tools like the Socratic Method or motivational interviewing can encourage reflection and deeper dialogue. Ask open-ended questions. Be curious. Meet people with empathy instead of judgment. This often leads to people noticing misalignment in their thoughts, beliefs, and actions themselves.
Remember: if your goal is to be right rather than to connect, you might win the argument (Might!) but lose the relationship. True influence happens when we understand others, even if we still disagree.
Building Bridges in a Divided World Through Mindful Speech
In our polarized society, active listening often feels like a lost art. And disproportionately, it falls on marginalized communities to do the heavy lifting—which isn’t fair. Still, understanding different perspectives is essential for building a safer, more just world.
That doesn’t mean agreeing with harmful rhetoric or excusing injustice. It means knowing what others believe so we can more effectively respond, challenge, and educate.
Personally, I resist the temptation to filter out every opinion I disagree with on social media. I want to understand the full spectrum of thought, even the fringe ideas I’d never imagine could exist. It takes deep breathing (and sometimes a few “what the effs”), but it’s led to surprising conversations. More often than I imagined, people have been willing to hear me out, and sometimes even shift their perspectives.
Words Are Tools for Connection, Not Weapons
Words shape our world. They can wound, inspire, divide, or connect. With mindfulness, self-care, and curiosity, we can move beyond reactive conflict and use words as tools for healing, understanding, and meaningful change.
Written by Amanda Stemen, MS, LCSW