Talking Honestly

Talking Honestly: Why It’s Never Too Late to Open Up

I’m 48, and I’ve grown up in a generation where talking about your thoughts and feelings wasn’t always the “done thing.” We were told to keep going, keep quiet, and just get on with life.

And maybe you’ve felt the same — that opening up about what’s really going on inside isn’t easy, or even allowed.

But here’s what I know now, both from my own life and from my work as a counsellor: holding everything in doesn’t make you stronger. It just makes you feel heavier.

Growing up with “keep it to yourself”

Many of us were raised with sayings like “man up,” “don’t make a fuss,” or “keep your chin up.” It was almost a badge of honour not to talk about how you were really feeling.

The problem is, when you bury things for too long, they don’t go away. They build up — as stress, anxiety, sadness, or that quiet feeling that no one really knows what you’re going through.

Why talking changes things

Something powerful happens when you say out loud the thoughts you’ve carried for years — even the ones you think are too dark, too messy, or too heavy.

You realise you’re not judged. You realise you’re still accepted. And for the first time, you don’t feel alone with it all.

That’s the space I offer in counselling. With me, you can bring your innermost thoughts — the ones you’ve never dared to share — and they’ll be met with compassion, not criticism.

Life experience matters

At 48, I know what it’s like to face the ups and downs of work, family, relationships, health, and the questions that come with getting older. I know how easy it is to put yourself last and keep on pushing.

But I also know it’s never too late to start talking. Whether you’ve never had counselling before or you’re coming back to it, this could be the step that helps you breathe again.

You don’t have to do it alone

If you’re thinking, “I could never say what’s really on my mind,” I get it. Most people feel that way at first. But when you finally speak, it can feel like letting go of a weight you’ve carried for far too long.