Along my morning walk I see a lot of “NO OUTLET” signs. It’s a tender, gentler way of saying “DEAD END.”

There are always two ways of telling the same story.

Words matter. They yield power and subconsciously shape our actions and how we view a situation.

My friend, freshly out of a 4-year partnership, decided to let his partner keep their apartment. Wanting to mend his tumultuous and complicated relationship with his mother, he is choosing to live with her (clearly this is leaning into discomfort) during this interim period. He looked at me and said, “It’s going to be SO HARD.”

Immediately he stopped and corrected himself.

“No. That’s a story I’m telling myself.”

He paused.

“This time together is going to incredibly transformational and healing for our relationship.”

I witnessed a powerful reframe. His new choice of words set the tone for an expansive time of growth and reconciliation. Yes, it will be so hard. But his new intention was couched in the larger setting of transformation and love.

Choose your words wisely. They set the framework for the house you live in and the future you create.