Giving up Just
Last week I recorded a new podcast episode (link at end of post). Following a brief season break in which one month turned into three, getting back into the studio felt kind of strange and a little bit clunky. It also brought back the particular horror that is listening to your own voice for hours on end as you edit. This may be reason enough to employ an editor!
As a performer, I’ve been having to listen to my voice (sung and spoken) for decades now, but the podcasting process has shown me something new. Now I get to hear how often I use certain words. As if tone and pitch and content weren’t enough, now I have habitual language irks to consider. So, it was little surprise to me when I found myself admitting “on air” that one of my energy leaks as a woman and a professional is in little words like “just”.
“Just checking in. Just a quick note to say thank you. Just finishing up. Just reminding you or following up.” Urgh!!
It is particularly silly because there is nothing timid about my inner monologue. All this pseudo politeness or fluffiness is (just) a mask. But my word is it glued on!! I decided then and there last week that I would stop using the word “just” as an apologist filler word.
JUST LIKE THAT.
Ha ha ha
Well, it was more or less how it happened. I started small because I knew it was possible to remove one word from my vocabulary or at least radically reduce its use. “Just” in its other meaning e.g. “the decision was just” is more than welcome, but the excuse-me-for-existing version is gone. And it is staying gone. I catch myself daily as I am about to say it or write it, but so far, I’ve caught it every time. And what is the difference you ask? I am being more precise, less fluffy, less energy wasting, and less apologetic. My internal monologue and my external language are now slightly more aligned, and I can feel a difference. This kind of small change is about so much more than tidying up my vocabulary—it's about reclaiming my personal power. When we change our words, we begin to rewire our thinking patterns. What seems like a minor linguistic shift is actually a tiny act of defiance. No, I won’t apologise. No, I won’t be small. Tiny changes that create big possibilities for how we show up in the world. It's sovereignty in action, one word at a time.
How about you? What word would you edit out of your vocabulary first? And which word should I clean out next?? Post your ideas below.
Episode 1 of Season 2 of Rebrand.REVOLUTION is out now. In it we start a conversation about how subtle shifts in your vocabulary can transform your reality and reclaim your personal power. Listen wherever you find your podcasts.
