We often think of things that are either easy or hard to say, in our lives though, some of the most common phrases have times of difficulty. It’s interesting to think about the greetings and simple questions that can swing both ways on the spectrum of easy to difficult. It really makes us realize the effect of context and how important it is to understand that before we go ahead and say things.
1. Hello: When was the last time you saw this person and how did that end? Hello is the first thing we say to so many people, even strangers, but what if this is the first hello to your crush, or the first hi in a long time, or what if you have to admit to something? The simple "hello" becomes a lot more complex.
2. I'm sorry: It's easy when it's not really your fault or when you just forgot to like your best friends post, she makes you apologize, but the second you have to hold yourself accountable and take responsibility, those three syllables become a lot heavier.
3. I love you: To your friends and mom, siblings, dad, and family, this phrase is easy and commonplace. What if you have to say it to someone new? What if you know this is the last time you can ever say it to someone? What if you don't know how they feel and you're not sure they'll respond with: "I love you too"? Then, it makes you sweat.
4. Who are you with? : We ask this all the time. We want to know who our friends are with because we probably want to join them. We want to know who our parents are with so we can figure out when they're going be to be home to make us food. The second we don't want to know the answer to this question though, it becomes loaded. First, it's the question of: Do I even want to know who he's with right now?
5. What are you doing? : Same thing goes... If I want to know, this will be the first thing I say and I'll use it as a conversation starter. If I have any thoughts about you being with your ex or with that friend that doesn't understand our relationship, never mind!
6. How are you? : This is the most commonly asked question. You pass someone on the street: "How are you?" You see your best friend for the first time all day: "How are you?" What if you know someone isn't doing well and you have to ask them how they are? Then, you need to be ready. This just went from a question that often has the predictable answer of "Good, and you?" to one that could be bringing up the darkest parts of someone’s current life.
