She stared at the message, typing and deleting the same three words.
Mira wasn’t new to goodbyes. But this one felt harder.
She and Ben had been quietly drifting for months—texts growing shorter, silences longer.
They both knew the end was near. Still, when he finally sent the message: “Maybe we should talk?”—she froze.
She typed, “Yes, I think so too.” Then deleted it. She typed, “I’m not ready.” Deleted again.
She wasn’t scared of the breakup. She was scared of what her sadness might say for her.
When Emotions Jam the Signal
It happens to all of us: you get hit with a wave—anger, guilt, grief, confusion—and suddenly, your voice disappears.
Your clarity dissolves. You can’t tell what’s true anymore.
Psychologists call it emotional flooding—when your brain’s limbic system overwhelms your ability to reason. It’s not failure. It’s biology.
And in moments like this, what you don’t say matters as much as what you do.
Don’t Speak Mid-Storm
There’s a simple rule worth remembering:
Pause when it’s loud inside.
Not to suppress the emotion. Not to ignore it. But to give it space to settle.
Because big feelings have a short fuse—but wise words need slow breath.
In mindfulness traditions, they call this “the sacred pause.”
A space between stimulus and response where your truest voice can return.
Mira’s Gentle Choice
Mira didn’t reply that night. She went for a walk instead. Watched a small dog sniff a tulip. Watched the sky change color. Watched her own breath slow down.
The next morning, with less ache in her chest, she wrote:
“Yes. Let’s talk. No blame. Just honesty. I want to say goodbye with care.”
It wasn’t poetic. It wasn’t perfect. But it was true.
And more than anything, it was hers.
How to Pause in Emotional Chaos
Take 10 deep breaths before reacting. Emotions are waves. Let them crest.
Step away gently. Say: “I need a moment” or “I’ll respond tomorrow.”
Write it out first—then decide. Let your journal catch what shouldn’t be sent.
Check with your calmest self. What would they choose?
Wait for warmth. If your decision doesn’t feel at least 1% peaceful, it’s not ready.
Because your clarity isn’t lost.
It’s just under the noise.
And the kindest truths arrive in whispers, not storms.