Hard To Talk About Emotions? You’re Not Alone

Talking about emotions—those awkward, messy feelings we all experience—has never been easy for most.

A stiff upper lip seems to be a national treasure, passed down through the generations like an heirloom tea set.

A new study by Interflora suggests that this reluctance is still very much alive, with six in ten of us (59 per cent) finding it hard to express our emotions. Even more astonishing, a quarter of us would rather send a funny meme than get into an actual emotional conversation.

Now, that’s a British understatement at its finest.

But, is bottling everything up really helping? Absolutely not. A staggering 42 per cent prefer to put on a brave face rather than let friends or family in on their real emotions, and 27 per cent don’t want to appear vulnerable—just in case people think they can’t handle life’s curveballs.

Instead of reaching out, many choose to deal with things solo, with one in three resorting to humour or sarcasm to cover up their emotional turmoil. Memes, it turns out, are a modern way of saying, “I’m fine.”

Generation Z: Masters of Avoidance

The study also revealed that Gen Z—those born after 1995—are the worst offenders when it comes to emotional avoidance.

This generation, despite being more open online, finds it particularly difficult to talk about critical issues such as finances, mental health, and loneliness.

Finances top the list of “no-go” topics at 31 per cent, with mental health (29 per cent) and loneliness (28 per cent) close behind.

So, what’s the problem? Many feel like they should be able to handle it all, but the reality is, even the most resilient people need to talk things through.

One in three (32 per cent) wish they could be more open and honest with their loved ones, but half of them (53 per cent) admit they build themselves up to have these conversations, only to chicken out at the last moment.

Bethany Day from Interflora sums it up well: “Our research shows that people are really struggling to have difficult conversations, even with their closest friends and family.

We want to encourage people to open up because we know that when you say more, you forge stronger relationships and deeper connections, and that is good for our health and happiness.”

Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Avoidance

But how do we start changing this pattern of emotional reticence? Psychologist Dr. Soph Mort offers ten practical strategies that just might help break through that British reserve:

1. Swap Texts for Voice Notes – For younger generations, voice notes feel less pressured than real-time conversations, giving people time to think and respond. Start with a voice note to ease into emotional topics.
2. Set Up a ‘No Phones’ Walk – Walking side-by-side takes the intensity out of face-to-face conversations. A stroll with no phones might be the perfect time to open up.
3. Do a ‘One Vulnerability’ Swap – Share something personal, and you’ll be surprised at how it encourages others to do the same. Emotional vulnerability can be contagious—in a good way.
4. Create a ‘Playlist Swap’ – Music can express what words can’t. Swapping playlists and talking about the emotions behind the songs can be a low-pressure way to connect.
5. Play a Conversation Card Game – Games reduce anxiety, and random prompts can break down barriers. Why not try Interflora’s ‘Conversations in Bloom’ cards? They contain 25 thought-provoking questions designed to encourage more open conversations.
6. Suggest a Storytelling Dinner – Share personal stories during a themed dinner to create empathy and understanding in an indirect way.
7. Start a Shared Journal – Writing things down can be easier than speaking them out loud. Start a journal where you and a loved one can exchange thoughts and reflections.
8. Designate a ‘Talk Signal’ – Non-verbal cues can help break the ice when it’s hard to start a conversation. Something as simple as an emoji or a particular phrase can signal when it’s time to talk.
9. Try a ‘Question of the Day’ Text – Asking a simple question each day can build momentum for deeper discussions. Over time, these small efforts can lead to more meaningful connections.
10. Create a ‘Check-In Calendar’ – Regular emotional check-ins, scheduled weekly or monthly, can make difficult conversations feel more normal and less daunting.

The Takeaway?

Whether it’s the pressure to appear strong, the fear of rejection, or just plain habit, avoiding emotional conversations is all too common—particularly among the younger generation.

But the stiff upper lip doesn’t have to define your relationships. By trying out these small, manageable steps, you could be on your way to deeper connections, better emotional well-being, and maybe even a bit less reliance on funny memes to communicate how you really feel.