Practice6 min
Communicating clearly
Example phrasing for naming needs, concerns and limits directly.
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Direct communication can feel exposing if indirect communication — hinting, withdrawing, testing — once felt safer. It tends to get easier with repetition rather than confidence arriving first.
A structure you can borrow
- 1Describe the situation"When plans change without much notice..."
- 2Name the feeling"...I notice I feel anxious."
- 3Say the need"It would help me to get a heads-up when you can."
- 4Invite a response"Is that something that could work for you?"
More example phrases
- "I want to understand — can you say a bit more about what you meant?"
- "I'm not ready to respond to that yet — can we come back to it later today?"
- "I noticed I went quiet just now. I'm still here, I just needed a moment."
- "I don't think that will work for me, but I'd like to find something that does."
You might explore these in your own words — there is no right answer, and stopping partway is completely fine.