Author: Noah Calder
Date: April 2, 2025
I’ve always been bad at words. Not in the literal sense—I know how to spell, I understand grammar, and I can string sentences together just fine. But when it comes to expressing myself, especially in moments that matter, I tend to fumble.
It’s like my brain runs on a different frequency than my mouth. I’ll think of the perfect comeback… five hours too late. Or I’ll try to comfort someone and end up saying something that sounds like I’m trying to sell them insurance.
I remember this one time in college. My best friend, Jake, was going through a rough patch. His dad had passed away, and I wanted to be there for him. But when I showed up at his dorm, I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to be the guy who said, “I’m sorry for your loss,” because it felt so empty. So instead, I blurted out, “Hey, I brought snacks.”
Yeah. Snacks. That’s what I led with.
Jake just stared at me, blinked a few times, then started laughing. Not because it was funny, but because it was so absurdly awkward. And honestly, that laugh turned into the beginning of an unexpected moment. We sat there, eating chips and talking about everything except his dad. It wasn’t profound or poetic, but it helped.
Sometimes, words don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes, they just need to be there.
I’ve learned to stop stressing about being articulate all the time. It’s not about having the right words—it’s about showing up. Listening. Being present.
So yeah, I’m bad at words. But I’m learning that’s okay.
Leave a Reply