The Words We Wish We Could Take Back

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDxcWGKtDZU

Sometimes, the words we use can make or break our marriages, our friendships, and our jobs. One sentence—said in anger or frustration—can stick around far longer than we ever intended.

Have you ever said something to someone and instantly regretted it? And then… did nothing to change it?

I have. More times than I can count.

The old adage “open mouth, insert foot”? That’s been the tagline of many chapters in my life.

Regret Has a Long Memory

There’s a song by Kim Richey that always stops me in my tracks. It’s about a breakup—the words spoken in the heat of the moment—and how those words echo down the highway long after the relationship ends. I feel that deeply.

There are things I said to my ex-husband during the unraveling of our marriage that I still hear in my head, even 8 ½ years after he left.

“I hate you.”

"You’re a jerk.”

"How could you do this to me?”

At the time, I meant them. Or at least, I thought I did. Now I just feel the sadness of words that added to the hurt, rather than helping either of us heal.

And it’s not just in relationships.

I’ve said things at work I wish I hadn’t—talked about my boss behind his back, complained about coworkers not pulling their weight, or exaggerated an injury just to get out of some mandatory team-building activity. None of it was earth-shattering, but still... those moments stick with me.

We don’t always get a second chance to rephrase.

Virtual Work, Real Words

Now that I work from home as a virtual assistant, I’ve learned just how powerful words can be—especially when they’re all we’ve got.

There’s no hallway to bump into someone and casually clarify what you meant to say. No body language to soften the tone. No after-work drinks to smooth things over. Just screens and Slack, Zoom calls and email threads.

Which means we have to be even more mindful. Especially when we’re tired. Or frustrated. Or feeling undervalued.

Here’s something that’s helped me:

When I’m upset, I still write the email—but I never put anyone in the TO field. That way, I can get it all out of my system, walk away, and come back with a clearer head. 99% of the time, I delete it. The other 1%? I rewrite it with compassion and professionalism.

Same goes for Slack. It’s fine to joke around with coworkers, but don’t vent about clients or complain about others behind their backs. Those chats can be screenshotted. And even if they aren’t, that energy lingers.

And Zoom? Think before you speak. Just because you're sitting in yoga pants and fuzzy slippers doesn’t mean you should let down your guard. Show up with presence—and maybe a pause before you unmute.

The Work We Do Is Human

As virtual assistants, we’re often behind the scenes. But our work is deeply human. It’s about relationships, trust, reliability, and communication.

So much of our reputation—our ability to get and keep clients—comes down to how we communicate. And that’s not just what we say. It’s how we say it, when we say it, and whether we speak from reaction… or reflection.

Words matter. I’ve learned that the hard way. But I’ve also learned they can heal as much as they can hurt.

So here’s to choosing them with care. ✨

Have you ever said something at work you regret? Or found a strategy that helps you pause before you react? I’d love to hear what’s helped you. Drop it in the comments or message me directly—let’s be better, together.