The Subtle Ways People-Pleasing Changes Your Voice

This month we’re talking about me and my strong, healthy boundaries! Or… some version of that.

This week it’s something I hold close to my heart—grammar. Specifically… hyphens.

A few months ago, I had TWO different people tell me, on the same day, that hyphens are a sign AI wrote your content.
“What???” I cried. I was crushed. I LOVE hyphens. And colons, and ellipses, parentheses—I could go on and on. (I’ll be the FIRST to admit I tend to overuse the comma—all in enthusiasm, mind you.)

I didn’t want my readers, or ANYONE really, to think I’d just plugged an idea into Chat and said, “write me a blog.” I spend a lot of time on these. I get JOY from spending time on these. I love to teach, share, inspire, and have a good laugh—often at my own expense. :D

My first thought was, “I’m just going to do it anyway and you can’t stop me.”
(rebel… and who, exactly, would try to stop me? No idea.)

My second thought was, “Oh no, now I’ll never be able to use a hyphen again.”
(fear—and a wee bit of ‘poor me’ drama)

Third, I decided to look for balance. Maybe limit myself and my grammatical flair. Maybe skip hyphens for a few weeks, then throw some in—rando bando.

To be honest, I still haven’t found the balance. And I was a little peeved that I couldn’t write how I wanted because of some outside rule that suddenly applied to me—and my innocent hyphens.

“Ahhhhh.” I suddenly realized I was allowing other ‘people’ (or AI, or whatever is out ‘there’) to dictate how I was going to live my life and write my content.

Huh.

That one was a slap-to-the-forehead moment.

I’m still deciding what to use, and when. But now I know I can choose from an empowered place that’s best for me and my business. The place that feels good. AND is fun.

When I decided to share this story, it wasn’t because I thought you’d relate to my hyphen distress—or because you love grammar as much as I do (few do).

I shared it because honestly, sometimes we don’t know exactly what to do. Which path to choose. Whether we ‘cave’ to convention or stick our post in the ground over a fondness for the ellipsis. I truly don’t have a clear decision yet.

But I do know this—there is no wrong decision. Every decision brings clarity. Sometimes it’s your free heart dotting that document with symbols! Other times it’s your editor saying, “Dude… you need to lay off the commas.”

Either way, I know I can always change my mind. And do what feels best in the moment.

Right now, I encourage you to be liberal with your exclamation points!!!!! Or whatever small thing brings you joy. Because I promise you—the bigger joys follow.

You’re allowed to write your life in your own style.

Keep it bright.