Overexplaining is a form of begging.

This I heard from Kristen Bell on Adam Grant’s Re:Thinking podcast.

It was one of those things that was so audibly pleasing, but hard to immediately distill it’s meaning.

I’m a verbal processor. I talk to understand what I think. Overexplaining is a natural byproduct.

But the more I sit with her observation, my verbal processing has nothing to do with it.

Overexplaining is my attempt to make what I say safer from disagreement and judgment.

The extra words are for me, not them.

Had to share.

Be well. Talk soon.

— Peter