Although being open and transparent doesn’t often reward us with brownie points from those who aren't, it does mean we get to sit comfortably with our conscience.

Bad behaviour

Being open and transparent may not always sit comfortably with others, but bad behaviour shouldn't have to be tolerated.  If we say something and that someone reacts negatively, they should think about what we’re saying, instead of them making what we say, about us. Not saying how we feel, can eventually create a rift.

Talking promotes emotional and spiritual growth

Not being open and talking about things, can mess with your health and stunt emotional and spiritual growth. Not saying what you feel, if left for long periods, can create emotional distance, fall-outs, arguments and secrecy and can also be the difference between staying well and becoming ill.

Being true to yourself

Saying how things are means you're being true to yourself and as long as you're not saying something to hurt, and based on your truths, it is right to say how you feel. It is important to be open, honest and transparent. The way as I see it, not to can create friction.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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2 comments on “Saying how things are”

  1. I'm pretty transparent, except when there are lines I shouldn't cross.

    Perhaps my gut instinct influences me more than my need to tell it like it is; of course, there's always a time and place for that.

    1. Thanks Tim. The gut instinct is the most important, because it's the gut that determines what we should say and how we should say it.

      I think more of us should work via the gut. If we did, we'd understand how best to communicate with others. Generally, I think it important we say how we feel and speak our own truth.

      It's either not seen as politically correct, or were afraid of retaliation.

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