When I’m upset, I want to remember to pause before I speak. I need to give myself space to understand what I’m really feeling, to identify what’s behind the frustration. It’s easy to focus on the surface — the immediate irritation — but it’s the deeper feelings, the unmet needs, that I need to communicate. I want to be able to say what’s bothering me without letting my emotions take over or without sounding like I’m blaming her for how I feel.

It’s not about holding everything in, but about sharing it in a way that invites understanding. I don’t want to make her feel like she’s responsible for fixing everything, but instead make her feel like I’m opening up, inviting her into what I’m processing. I want to communicate from a place of clarity, not from reacting to the moment.