I still explain myself before anyone has even misunderstood me

Dear Delyara, I begin with context, soften the statement, reassure the room, remove the sharpness, offer the harmless version first. Not because I always want to. Because some old part of me learned that misunderstanding can become expensive quickly if I don’t get ahead of it. It’s exhausting to speak from inside that reflex. And it means even simple honesty can end up carrying extra labour before the truth has had a chance to stand on its own. I’m tired of using half my voice to prevent damage that may not even be coming.