Welcome to Issue 98 of Clearly YOU. Every second Wednesday, I serve up ideas that help you share the clearest, realest, most unforgettable version of yourself with the world. Not a subscriber? Let's fix that: https://kimscaravelli.com/newsletter/
When I think about communication, I automatically think outward. How my words land. How they help. Whether they’re clear, useful, and kind.
What I’ve realized lately is that my inward communication could use a bit more of that same care.
Language shapes how we think, decide, and show up. So this year, I’m being more intentional about the phrases I use with myself, because they help me think more clearly and move through my days with a bit more ease (and joy).
Nothing fancy. But here are a few phrases that are doing a lot of quiet work for me right now:
👍 Good enough
This simple phrase is about giving myself permission to call something ready when it’s put together properly and capable of doing the job. Perfection not required.
🐢 Slow and steady wins the race
It's an oldie but a goodie. Besides making me think of my grandmother, it also reminds me that moving at a sustainable pace is smart. And perpetually sprinting towards ill-defined finish lines isn't smart. It's just exhausting.
⏳ Maybe later
These two simple words let me gently move things that don’t need immediate attention into a soft holding space where I can look at them later. Or maybe not.
🚫 Not for me
My fav new phrase! A calm, respectful way to opt out without over-explaining.
It turns out talking to myself with the same clarity and warmth I use with other people is… helpful. Imagine that.
Cool Quote
“You can learn to change the way you talk to yourself, and that changes how you feel and how you act.”
Ethan Kross, psychologist and self-talk expert
A Fast Fix For Harsh Self-Talk
We all have an internal narrator when we’re working. Helpful sometimes. Unhinged at other times.
Here's a quick exercise to help you lean toward helpful more often:
Step 1: Eavesdrop on yourself
While you’re working, write down a few phrases you catch yourself thinking. Don’t edit. Don’t soften. Just capture them.
Example:
“This could be better.”
“I should be done by now.”
Step 2: Imagine saying this to someone else
You're talking to a colleague, a client, or someone you actually like. Is this what you would say to them? If the answer is NO...
Step 3: Swap the language
Rewrite the inner dialogue. Stay honest and clear, but turn down the criticism.
Example:
❌ “This could be better.”
✔️ “This is solid. I can improve it later if I need to.”
❌ “I should be done by now.”
✔️ “I’m making progress. One step at a time.”
That’s it.
No affirmations. No pretending everything is amazing. Just clearer, kinder language that helps and calms.
Stuff Worth Sharing
I finally committed to giving the New York Times Games app $2.99 a month, and I have zero regrets.
I’m now deeply invested in Connections, Spelling Bee, and the very serious business of beating my friends and my daughters. Highly recommend if you enjoy small daily wins, friendly trash talk, and the illusion that you’re “keeping your brain sharp” while actively avoiding email.
For the Word Nerds
Metacognition is the ability to notice your own thinking. In simple terms, it’s thinking about your thinking.
It’s the moment you recognize the voice running in your head, instead of automatically obeying it. Or, put another way:
Metacognition is realizing your inner narrator is editable.
You don’t have to replace every critical thought. You just get to choose more useful language.
Enjoying Clearly YOU? Share it with a friend!
Feel like 2026 is the year you start writing more? Check out Making Words Work.
🩷 And thanks for reading. Life is busy. I deeply appreciate your time and attention.
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