Today is Day 18 of #HAWMC (WEGO’s Health Activist Writers Monthly Challenge). The prompt today is:
What’s a health cliché that really bugs you?
What are you tired of people asking you or saying to you again and again?
Write it down. Then reclaim it!
Take it back and turn it around so you make it something you could be comfortable hearing.
There are a number of clichés that really get on my nerves: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, “Instead of having a bad day, be thankful you have the day”, “Where there’s a will there’s a way”, are just a few.
- “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” – If this were true I’d be Superman by now! NO, what doesn’t kill you, doesn’t kill you. Period. You might learn something from it, but it didn’t make you physically stronger. Some people might be mentally “stronger”, others might break down completely. When something doesn’t kill you, well thank goodness it didn’t kill you. Instead of saying this, tell me how strong you think I am.
- “Instead of having a bad day, be thankful for the day” – Why can’t I have a bad day and still be thankful? Everyone has a bad day and that’s okay. There is no way that someone can have a good day every day, and no one should make someone feel bad when they are having a bad day. I don’t believe my illnesses make my life miserable, but I do have bad days. I’m still thankful for my days, if they are good or bad. If you feel I’m having a lot of bad days and you want me to pay attention to what I’m grateful for, then just say something like, “What are you grateful for today?” and start a conversation, perhaps you can share something you were grateful for that day.
- “Where there’s a will there’s a way” – In who’s world is this true? I have the will to do many things that I will never be able to do. Before I was sick there were many things I had the will to do that in no way could I do, for any number of reasons. This is just a falsehood, yet I hear variations on this all the time. I don’t know how to put a spin on this one. Let’s just not say anything like it, Okay?
Did I touch on anything that people say to you? What else do people say that bugs you?
If you’d like to read more posts from today please search for #HAWMC and check out WEGO’s Facebook page. Don’t forget to Like Picnic With Ant’s Facebook Page too. 🙂
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Picnic with Ants 
What you object to is what the Coaching field calls “make wrong” (means just what you think it might) – and the subtle kind is the most insidious: seeming to encourage, but actually putting you on the defensive because “you need to adjust your attitude!”
Best Awareness comeback: “Are you making me wrong?!” Right in the eyes – and with a smile!
Then, gently, “Not today, okay>”
xx,
mgh
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great comeback Madelyn!! I’ll remember it. xo
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Thanks – the key is to keep it as light and charge neutral as you can possibly manage – overt but not shaming.
Unless, of course, the other guy is obnoxious and a repeat offender. A squirt gun might work better for them – I hear some people keep cats off tables that way 🙂
My late voice coach had a friend who kept people in line with a protracted warning hiss – like a snake about to strike. Never had to say a word when something ticked her off (and wouldn’t)
xx,
mgh
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Hissing at someone? Oh my goodness, I bet she was fun at parties. LOL
Normally I just let it roll off. Most people just don’t know better. If I feel it is worth teaching them, I will, but for most, I just let it slide.
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I did too – for years and years. Getting grumpier after decades of same, I guess.
And yes, Ronnie was a hoot at parties. Great sense of humor – even that hiss thing was funny (but effective).
xx,
mgh
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