If writing is a house, each of us lives on two levels.

The ground floor is where we invite people in. We share things we think people want to hear. We say a lot of nice things, put some coffee on, and invite people to sit around the table. On the ground floor, we have the furniture arranged just so and we try to keep things spic and span.

Underneath the ground floor, there is also a basement. The basement is where we keep boxes full of the things we really want to say. But we rarely bring them out because we’re not sure how people will respond. We keep things in the dark out of fear. But it’s important to bring those things into the light.

What might some of those things be? Maybe it’s a trauma you experienced like losing someone you love or going through a divorce. Maybe it’s your controversial opinions about something. Maybe it’s telling the not-so-nice parts of your story so you can help others. Maybe it’s talking openly about your mental health issues. Who knows what it might be—it’s different for every person.

The point is that you have things to say that people might object to, things that might get you in a little trouble. It’s not that we should seek to be controversial for its own sake. Rather, the point is we should be brave and bold when the time and situation are right.

We must be smart about all this, of course. But there is a time to stop holding back and just tell it like it is. Could it be that your time has come?

Daily Question: What is it you really want to say? What is holding you back from saying it?