The Weight of Words
They carved their names into my skin,
each letter burning, sinking in.
I swore their words were sharpened steel,
cutting deep enough to feel.
But tell me this—what makes them true?
A stranger’s voice, a shade of blue?
Do echoes know the weight they bear,
or do they fade if left to air?
I held their lines like sacred scripts,
let them stitch my shattered ribs.
Yet in the mirror, I could see—
the only voice that shackled me… was my own.
So I unspooled their hollow threads,
rewrote the stories in my head.
Words only hurt to the level you trust
that they were ever more than dust.
~Mia
Do Words Really Cut?
We’ve all heard the phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yet, in reality, words can hurt—deeply. They can linger in our minds, shape our self-perception, and even influence our actions. But the true power of words isn’t in their sound or structure—it’s in our belief in them.
Why Words Hurt: The Mirror Effect
Words only wound us to the extent that they align with our own insecurities. If someone calls you a failure, and deep down, you secretly fear that you are, the words land like a blade. But if someone calls you something completely detached from your reality—say, a terrible astronaut—it rolls off without effect.
This is because our reaction to words isn’t about the words themselves. It’s about the resonance they find within us. When an insult aligns with a hidden fear or unresolved wound, it amplifies the pain.
Breaking the Spell: How to Take Power Away from Words
- Interrogate the Source – Consider who is speaking. Is this a person whose judgment you truly respect? Would you take their advice? If not, why give their criticism weight?
- Challenge the Thought – If a comment stings, ask yourself: Do I actually believe this? If the answer is yes, dig deeper—why? Is it based on evidence or old conditioning?
- Shift Your Perspective – Recognize that words are simply sounds shaped into meaning. They only have power if you internalize them. Instead of absorbing negative words, try observing them as external noise, detached from your truth.
- Strengthen Self-Belief – The more secure you are in yourself, the less external voices matter. When you trust who you are, words that don’t align with your truth become just that—words.
Reclaiming Your Narrative
At the end of the day, words can only harm you if you allow them to define you. The real battle isn’t against what others say—it’s against what you choose to believe. When you rewrite your own internal narrative, the words of others lose their grip.
Because words, like shadows, only stretch as far as the light allows.
Recommended Reading:
Psychology & Self-Perception
- The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
- One of the core agreements: “Don’t take anything personally.” This book explores how words and beliefs shape our reality.
- Loving What Is – Byron Katie
- Teaches The Work, a method to question negative thoughts and beliefs, reducing the emotional power of external words.
- Radical Acceptance – Tara Brach
- Explores how self-compassion can neutralize the impact of external criticism and self-judgment.
- The Courage to Be Disliked – Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
- Based on Adlerian psychology, it breaks down why external opinions only affect us if we allow them to.
- What to Say When You Talk to Yourself – Shad Helmstetter
- Examines how our inner dialogue determines our self-worth and how to reshape it for resilience.
Philosophy & Mindset
- Meditations – Marcus Aurelius
- Stoic wisdom on controlling your perception and not letting external voices dictate your peace.
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson
About the Author:
Michelle Cuello (Mia) is an introspective artist, writer, and thinker who explores themes of healing, identity, and emotional depth through her work. Writing under the name Mia, she delves into the intersections of psychology, personal growth, and creative expression. Her art series, Beyond the Neon Veil: Silence in Fragmented Futures, and her upcoming book, Fragments of Mia, reflect her profound ability to capture the complexity of the human experience, blending personal narrative with universal truths. Passionate about vulnerability and connection, Michelle’s work resonates with those seeking to understand and heal their deepest wounds.