Stop Hedging Your Life: Why You Need to Edit Your Internal Monologue

In the world of professional writing, we have a term for words that weaken a sentence without adding meaning. We call them “weasel words.” They are the “I think,” “I just,” “kind of,” and “maybe” that sneak into a paragraph when a writer is afraid to take a stand.

Most people speak to themselves in weasel words. They don’t say, “I am going to do this.” They say, “I’m going to try to maybe get this kind of done.” This isn’t just a linguistic habit; it’s a psychological leak. It’s the sound of someone who has already given themselves an exit strategy for failure.

1. The Passive Voice Trap
In newsrooms, the “Passive Voice” is often the enemy of truth. Instead of saying, “The politician stole the money,” a weak reporter says, “The money was taken.” It removes the actor. It removes the responsibility.

Many of us live our lives in the passive voice. “I was made to feel upset,” or “Opportunities didn’t come my way.” When you use the passive voice for your own life, you cast yourself as a character in someone else’s story. Change the grammar. Use the active voice. You aren’t just “being moved” by the world; you are moving through it.

2. Kill the “Just”
Watch how often you use the word “just” in your emails and your thoughts. “I’m just checking in,” “I just thought,” “I’m just a beginner.” “Just” is a word of apology. It’s a verbal flinch. It tells the world—and more importantly, your subconscious—that you are taking up too much space. An editor’s first move is to strike every unnecessary “just” from the page. Do the same for your brain. State your intent clearly. No apologies required.

3. Stop “Buried Leads” in Your Goals
In journalism, a “buried lead” is when the most important part of the story is hidden under three paragraphs of boring fluff.

We do this with our dreams. We hide what we truly want under layers of “practical” excuses and self-deprecating humor. “Oh, I’m working this job, but I’ve always thought it might be nice to maybe one day look into art school, I guess.” Put the lead at the top. If you want to be an artist, say it. If you want to change your life, name the change. When you bury the lead, you lose the audience. When you bury your intent, you lose your drive.