The Politeness Problem: How to Stop Withholding Your Truth

In the name of politeness, we often sugarcoat or dilute the truth, twisting it into something softer that we think the other person would rather hear. Instead of saying what we truly mean, we go out of our way to smooth over situations in hopes they'll land better. Here's the issue: when we start holding back our real feelings, we disconnect from ourselves and others. We step out of alignment with our inner wisdom.  Though society teaches us that maintaining peace is more important than being honest, human beings are meant to express themselves. While we may fear that speaking our minds will lead to conflict, there's nothing more harmful than sugarcoating the truth. Suppressing our true feelings damages our relationships and makes us lose integrity. It's impossible to live fully and authentically when we're weighed down by unexpressed emotions and holding back our true essence. But where does this need for politeness come from? How can we stop withholding and start expressing ourselves honestly?  In this episode, we explore how to break free from sugar coating and embrace genuine self-expression.   Things You'll Learn In This Episode  -Truth is located in the body, not the brain  When we're in integrity, our body sensations will tell us when we're concealing instead of revealing. Why do we need to get out of our heads to gain access to this valuable raw data?  -Withdraw, withhold and project  Withholding our feelings immediately puts us in a state of disconnection. How does it lead to us projecting and turning our problem into someone else's? -Clear the debris  People think withholding is the best way to maintain a relationship. The truth is, the relationship loses its integrity when we're not honest. How do we move through a kerfuffle in our friendships without interrupting the flow of connection?   About Your Hosts Katie Hendricks, Ph.D., BC-DMT, is a pioneer in body intelligence and conscious loving with over 40 years of experience. Known internationally as a presenter and seminar leader, she focuses on authenticity, responsibility, and appreciation in conscious living. She co-authored 12 books, including best-sellers Conscious Loving and Conscious Loving Ever After and she has appeared on over 500 radio and TV programs. Sophie Chiche is a seasoned coach and consultant who has worked with thousands of individuals and teams globally. With a focus on helping people live fully expressed lives, she guides clients and facilitates group sessions to remove obstacles and design meaningful lives. Sophie has developed unique methods, mindset shifts, and healing modalities to create lasting change.   Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so the show reaches more people!odcast CTA