“You may have as many words as you please, only I can’t stay to hear them.”
(Anne Brontë)
A quiet reflection
There’s something quietly powerful about this Anne Brontë quote.
“You may have as many words as you please…”
It acknowledges that the words are free to appear.
But then comes the unexpected second half.
“I can’t stay to hear them.”
It’s a gentle reminder that just because something is being said doesn’t mean we have to remain for the entire conversation.
Our minds can sometimes feel like very enthusiastic storytellers.
A thought appears.
Then another.
And before long a whole narrative begins to unfold.
It can feel as though we’re obliged to sit through the entire performance.
But occasionally something different happens.
Someone notices the story as it’s happening.
And in that moment a new possibility appears.
The possibility of not staying quite so long.
Questions for coaches
If you’re a coach, you might enjoy reflecting on a few of these:
- What thoughts are you still sitting with out of habit?
- When have you noticed that a thought only had power while you were listening to it?
- What changes when someone realises they don’t have to stay for the whole story?
- How do moments of awareness shift the relationship someone has with their thinking?
No need to answer them all. Sometimes one question is enough.
A quiet thought
Thoughts are free to speak.
But we are not obliged to stay for every word.
About Jen Waller
Jen Waller is a transformative coach who works with thoughtful professionals and coaches who want a quieter, more honest way forward.
Her work creates space for reflection and insight, helping people reconnect with their own clarity, wisdom, and direction.