Smile more, hug more. And recently, I added a third one: say more.
This belongs here because it's something I actually use. If I love someone, I want to tell them. If I miss them, I say it. If someone does a great job, why would I keep that thought to myself?
Great job, mate. I mean it.
Those words matter to me when I hear them, too. Sometimes I need attention. Sometimes I need to hear that I'm loved or appreciated. And when I do, I ask.
I haven't always been comfortable with that. When I was younger, I followed what I grew up with. I carried ideas about how I was supposed to behave, what strength looked like, what I should keep to myself.
But getting older and spending time on my own made me question some of that. Do I actually believe it? Or have I just been carrying it for years?
I don't want to compete for strongest person in the room. I'd quite like a proper hug and to hear that someone's happy to see me.
People get busy. I understand that. But if I miss someone's attention, staying quiet doesn't help them understand what I'm feeling. Saying it gives us a chance to talk.
For me, "say more" means giving those honest, positive feelings a voice and admitting when I need warmth myself. No sarcasm, no fake compliments.
I don't know if it works for everyone. I can only share how it feels for me. And me, I feel more like myself. That's why "say more" belongs here.
If any of this sounds like you, maybe say more too.