If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?
The One Word I’d Give Up: Small
If I had to give up a word today, it would be small.
Why? Because sometimes that word makes things feel less than they are. A small step, a small idea, a small change—it almost sounds like it doesn’t matter. But in reality, those little things often shape the bigger picture.
I remember one time when I leaned heavily on a single word too much—clarity. I was writing, just like I am now, and every other sentence seemed to circle back to clarity. At first, it felt helpful. Then I noticed that word ; words frame the way we think, and sometimes giving one up helps me see from a new angle.
So today, my best idea for giving up small is this: replace it with something that gives me effort and space it deserves. Instead of saying “I took a small step,” try saying “I took a real step.” Instead of “a small win,” call it “a win that matters.”
What’s one word you lean on a little too often? If you set it aside, would your perspective feel bigger, lighter, or freer?
Exploring words, stories, and the meaning behind them together.
Until next time.
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