The unspoken is never benign.
The number of times I say something like:
This is awkward, and I just want to name that and maybe it won’t feel so awkward.
It felt weird not saying something, so this is me saying something.
Or I just curiously and courageously name the thing that a lot of people are thinking or feeling because then that unspoken loses its power, and we are empowered to walk through it together.
And always, I am met with a tangible, settled, deep breath I feel seen and thank you.
Speak the unspoken.