Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Why do I always say things I don't mean?

169 Answers
Last Updated: 03/11/2022 at 6:47pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Lisa Groesz, PhD

Psychologist

With evidenced based therapies, we find the root of the problem together to implement solutions. We all face crises, transitions, or disorders at some time.

Top Rated Answers
politeSun69
February 1st, 2017 7:28am
probably you say things when you are emotional and words come out wrongly.you could mean it at that time because you are feeling certain things but after realise you didn't mean it that way.good action, would be avoiding saying or responding to certain conversations when you are not in a good mood in that you won't regret bad words
bouncyBraid80
March 24th, 2018 4:10pm
Sometimes we temper our words and say what we think others might want to hear instead of truly saying what we feel. We do ourselves a disservice when we don't speak our truths.
Imperfect84
February 15th, 2018 7:00pm
Sometimes our emotions get the best of us and we end up acting and behaving in ways that we never would have imagined. It happens to the best of us, don't worry.
drowninghalo
September 4th, 2017 2:14pm
This usually happens when you're at the peak of your emotions. At that point, your thoughts become muddled up and you will be unable to process them easily.
SpontaneousDragonfly
April 15th, 2018 5:31pm
In my experience, people say things they don't mean because they are either scared of what may happen if they say what they truly think, or they don't know what they mean. People are always scared of what others will think of them and that's one of the driving forces behind saying things people don't really mean.
Anonymous
June 27th, 2018 11:28pm
For example, when you're angry, you don't think before you talk. It just happens because are emotions are taking over and we sometimes don't think before we act.
Anonymous
February 28th, 2018 10:06pm
Because you are mad and you say stuff that makes the other person feel bad but you dont mean it.....
ConnerAlexzander
February 14th, 2018 5:24pm
When we get angry or panicked, we say things that we think will end the discussion quickly; but those things can be hurtful. We just have to be more conscious of what comes out of our mouths; in other words: think before you speak.
Anonymous
February 7th, 2018 11:17am
Sometimes we don't think about what we are going to say, and that's just humane and part of us. You can always apologize after saying things you didn't mean to.
MandeeS
February 1st, 2018 4:44pm
There could be various different reasons! You could be on edge and want someone to feel what you're feeling. also, when we're angry it is very common to say things we don't mean.
TheLinenMonk
October 20th, 2018 12:14pm
What are you afraid will happen if you did say what you mean? What is your personal experience when you have said what you really meant? Not saying what we mean, or in other words, speaking our truth can be a means of hiding ourselves. It's like the anxiety some people feel when handing in assignments or projects they feel invested in - the feedback can hurt and be taken personally because we feel the criticism of our work is a criticism of ourselves. However, this is just one way of interpreting this question. Does "... things i don't mean" refer to lying or trying to fit in? or does "things i don't mean" refer to something like saying harsh things when you are upset? A) You aren't being genuine to others. B) you aren't being genuine to yourself. In short, reflect on what message you put out there beforehand and just practicing really saying what you mean.
Anonymous
October 8th, 2020 6:34pm
We sometimes are so concerned and worried about what others think of us that we say things that are not true to our feelings and more of what we think we should say, even though that is not what we mean. Losing confidence in your own words can create the opposite reaction of saying what we really don't mean and can cause more conflict than there was initially. Be kind in your words and compassionate to the other person, but be true to yourself and your feelings and not cause more anxiety or stress on ourselves than needed.
lukeyman7
November 11th, 2019 12:01am
I try not to consciously after devastating mistakes....All of which were due to anger or rage or deep sadness...Not to mention being on drugs...Bottom line is that words are like daggers...My regrets have increased my awareness of what I say and how I say it...I am far far from perfect...I only try be a little better and do a little better than last time........ I for one do forgive what people say...I have been on the receiving end of SO much verbal assault that I am almost numb to it...I try to be honest with everyone, but also tactful and aware of the power of words...
Anonymous
August 23rd, 2020 7:14pm
Sometimes we do say things that we mean - at that we want others to know exactly how we really feel, and at that moment we have the courage to share that. Conversely, when we say things we don't mean, it is often because we are either scared for various reasons to share how we really feel - scared of how others might react or judge us for sharing that - or for a different goal than communicating what we really mean, like trying to come off a certain way or evoke a desired reaction from others. One instance where I would say things I don't mean was with romantic interests - when our emotions run high, our desire for a certain emotional reaction often also increases. Similarly, we are especially sensitive to judgements from those that we think highly of, yet at the same time haven't yet developed the trust and confidence to fully share ourselves with them.
gitamenon123
August 22nd, 2020 10:37pm
You might say things you do not mean because you are afraid of saying things you do mean. Speaking things you mean is portraying your real feelings. You might be too afraid and scared to say what you think because of what other people think. You might be afraid of being judged or criticized for what you believe. It could also mean that you are restraining yourself from expressing your true emotions. You always see these characters in television that are emotionally unavailable and usually, they have a hard time speaking what they truly mean and expressing their actual true feelings.
Anonymous
August 22nd, 2020 12:03am
You may say things you don't mean as a defense mechanism towards your true feelings. Certain people or situations may trigger a strong emotion that you are trying to cover up. In your attempt to cover your true feelings you may be telling someone a lie or being harsh with no regard to their feelings because you are subconsciously protecting your own. Try to take the time to think back to certain situations in which you have said something you don't mean to someone and see if you can notice anything that may have triggered a strong emotion. Were you feeling jealous about what someone had or got to do? Maybe someone's trauma triggered your own emotions to a similar situation you had which caused a harsh response because you wanted to move away from the topic. Sometimes our brain is so focused on protecting ourselves that we forget how to be empathetic towards others. Don't beat yourself up over what you have said in the past, instead focus on what may be truly bothering you and reflect on those emotions. It's okay to not be okay all of the time.
Anonymous
August 6th, 2020 6:49pm
It's most likely because you may have trouble portraying your real feelings because you're scared to, or you're worried about being judged so you say things that you think other people want to hear and before you say anything think will this hurt the persons felling or will it make them happpy and if you have said something you didnt mean say sorry then work on what not to say next time as you dont want to make the same mistake 2 times and its ok now and again to say some thing you regret just say sorry if you do
Anonymous
July 30th, 2020 3:10pm
There's quite a few possible reasons for this. Maybe you paniced as you didn't expect it to happen and you've just said something that just slipped out of your mouth which is completely normal, most people expereince something similar to this. Or maybe it was due to anger and you're saying things with a purpose at that present time but thinking back you're regretting it. Most of the time if something like this happens, I believe there is a reason or at least a subconsious reason to it. Take a look inside yourself, what are you feeling towards this situation.
Anonymous
July 25th, 2020 6:46am
Sometimes I say things I don't mean when I let my emotions overcome me. When I'm in those situations I always take a step back and think through what I'm saying to see if its rational. For example; if I am getting in trouble sometimes I will yell things back as a result of my anxiety often leading to more trouble then before. Often snapping back causes more damage than taking a moment to think aboutwhat you are saying. Everytime I slip up and say things I don't really mean I take it as a learning experience and look for what triggered it to try and combat that next time.
Anonymous
July 24th, 2020 7:42pm
You say things that you don’t mean because of a few different possibilities. One you may not be thinking, two you may be mad, three you are sad, four someone said something about you so you just think you should say it. Something you can do if that does happen is to say sorry and explain what you did and example is... I am so sorry for saying that mean thing about you I am just going through a hard time and was not thinking clearly please forgive me and is there anything I can do to get your trust again? Thanks.
LEVListener93
July 10th, 2020 2:31am
It sounds like sometimes you respond to people in ways that you later regret. What feelings lead up to you saying these things? Would you say this is done out of anger or frustration, or are you not even trying to be hurtful during these instances? How do you later wish you had responded instead, and what do you think gets in the way of you responding this way initially? I can't really give you advice about why this is, but I can try to help you think about it in different ways so that maybe you can answer this yourself.
amiablePond7294
July 2nd, 2020 1:28am
Sometimes, we don't always mean to say things that we don't intend to say. In my opinion, our emotions sometimes tend to get the best of us. When you feel really angry at a person, sometimes you can want to hurt them verbally and emotionally the way they hurt you. This is one of those instances of saying something you don't mean. It's hard to control, it takes a lot of practice. I believe that with practice, you can overcome the difficulty of saying things you do not mean. Try to put yourself in the person who is receiving what you are saying's shoes. Would you want to hear that? Would that hurt your feelings?
atmajivva
December 22nd, 2019 5:41pm
our thought are messy sometimes, and one doesn’t simply easy to deliver their message in conversation. I think it’s better to write down things you hardly to explain first, so you can understand your thought before telling it to people. You might be write down all your thought, and it will ease you to find the point of your thought. Just focus on the point that you want to deliver. Try to bring a journal wherever you go Second, try to calm your mind whenever you begin to talk to someone. It could help you to deliver the point message that you want to talk
Hanaa00
March 12th, 2020 6:28am
Sometimes, we just say things we do not mean, and this, most of the times, happen in the middle of an argument and conflicts. Sometimes, we do that because we fear not being heard, because we think that, by saying something perhaps hurtful to somebody else, they will finally be able to hear us and try understanding our own pain and struggles that we struggle to voice differently. And of course, this isn’t the best way to deal with conflict resolution, but it does happen with many people, and changing it is a process, a long one. It takes time and effort❤️
Anonymous
February 9th, 2020 8:32pm
Sometimes I don’t think things through and I respond with the instinctive part of the brain and not the rational part. I tend to rush on an answer instead of thinking it through. Other times I am overwhelmed myself and can not connect with what other people are saying. It is important to take time to solve our issues first and go with a clean head and spirit to a conversation in order to really hear what other people are saying and to connect with them and be able to give the best answer. When I don’t do that I might end up saying things that I don’t mean.
Anonymous
January 3rd, 2020 6:20pm
Sometimes you want to please other people so you end up saying things that will please other people but it won’t please yourself and then at one point you can’t stop saying things that you do not mean. And other times it just seems easier for you to say things you do not mean. Even if you feel it is wrong, you feel it is better to say things you don’t mean than say what you actually want to say and maybe mess things up for yourself.
beautifulsoul247
December 26th, 2019 2:26pm
It is human to misspeak sometimes. Your interest in this subject indicates that you want to do better next time. Time helps. I've personally found that I need time to continue improving my speaking skills. I find it helpful to think before speaking. I think about whether it is appropriate to speak or remain, my choice of words and the tone of delivery. Timing is also important, that is choosing the right time to speak. And of course, when emotions get the better of me or the recipient of my speech, I find it helpful to take some time to calm down, before I speak.
Anonymous
December 15th, 2019 4:34pm
It sounds like a defensive technique, whenever ive said things I dont mean its because that person has hurt me and ive wanted them to know that and feel what I feel, or because im too scared to let people know how I really feel because it makes me vulnerable and they might think im weak. Looking back I realise saying things I dont mean and hurting other people wasn't the way to go about it, maybe just try to think about what your saying and how its going to affect that person, try to be in their shoes.
Anonymous
March 11th, 2022 6:47pm
Fear can prevent people from speaking their minds. Under the effect of anger so many people lose control of themselves and say things they regret later. When a person is calm, he can access all of his brain. When a person gets angry, only certain areas are accessed and that’s why they say horrible things. Fear of embarrassment can prevent people from saying what they want. People who have low self esteem can lie in order to make others think highly of them. I believe identifying the reason why you say things you dont mean will be an helpful way to address it.
KindHeart1010
December 1st, 2019 1:14am
sometimes we don't think before we say things which is why we sometimes just end up saying things we don't mean to others, it's not your fault, it's just how we are as humans. To stop yourself from saying things you don't mean you could at least try to think about how the other person may feel if you do say what you want even if you don't mean it. If you can't control what you're saying i suggest getting CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) as that can help you understand why you are the way you are around people and it can also help you change the way you act e.g. the way you talk to people and say things you don't mean.