Words to Avoid: “Why can’t you just …”

The implication is that ”there’s something wrong with you and I can’t believe that you do things like you do.”

Don’t say things like “Why can’t you just be normal?” “Why can’t you just do it already?” “Why can’t you just listen to me?”

These words are usually said out of frustration. When you are frustrated, stop and reflect, “What is going on for me, why is this action/inaction making me feel this way?” Once you figure out what is going on for you, that’s what you will want to communicate instead.

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