‘Thinking of you’, ‘stay strong’: Why words like these can fail when a loved one is going through the worst
Michelle Bong Lejtenyi has spent her career finding the right words, but when people she loved faced cancer and grief, she struggled with knowing what to say. She’s learnt that sincerity can matter more than finding the perfect words.
For over two decades, Michelle Bong Lejtenyi has crafted a vast library of written material, from feature profiles to product descriptions. Her expertise in the art of words is undeniable, yet in moments of personal tragedy, the ability to find the right words proved elusive. The author struggled to convey condolences in the face of cancer diagnoses, heartbreak, and loss, admitting that sincerity often trumped eloquence.
Faced with the emotional weight of helping someone through a difficult time, she admitted to feeling lost for words and even resorted to clichéd phrases like "stay strong" and "thinking of you," which she considered ineffective and dismissive of the real struggles people face. Ultimately, her goal was to create words that were heartfelt and genuine, rather than impressing others with slick language.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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