Many of us find it tough to open up about our feelings, whether it’s with friends, family, or even to ourselves. A new report from Interflora, shows just how much we shy away from having those difficult conversations – and we’re not alone. Four in ten Brits admit they avoid tough discussions altogether, and a third say they wish someone had asked them how they were really feeling.
It turns out that a lot of us are afraid to be vulnerable, worrying it’ll be awkward, or not wanting to upset others by getting emotional. According to the survey, six in ten Brits struggle to talk about their emotions, with a quarter of us avoiding it altogether because we don’t like the idea of getting upset.
But while having these conversations can be tough, the good news is that opening up really does pay off. More than half of Brits push themselves to engage in these difficult discussions, and 43 per cent say that being honest has improved their relationships. The report shows that when we push past the discomfort, we gain deeper connections and better understanding with those we care about.
To help break down these barriers, Interflora has launched Conversations in Bloom – a set of conversation starter cards designed to make opening up easier. The prompts cover everything from personal growth and letting go of the past, to discussing tough emotions and navigating support during hard times.
In addition to the cards, they’ve teamed up with therapist Dr. Sophie Mort to offer practical tips on how to ease into meaningful conversations with loved ones.
Top tips to improve connection and the ability to have deeper conversations – Dr Soph Mort:
1. Swap Texts for Voice Notes
Voice notes provide the emotional connection of speech without the pressure of real-time responses. This format can reduce anxiety for millennials and Gen Z, who are more comfortable with asynchronous communication. Send a voice note instead of a text to help ease into deeper conversations with loved ones.
2. Set Up a ‘No Phones’ Walk
Walking side by side reduces the social pressure of direct eye contact, making it easier to talk about difficult topics. Physical activity can also boost mood, making conversation feel more natural. Suggest going for a phone-free walk with a friend or family member to engage in more meaningful conversations.
3. Do a ‘One Vulnerability’ Swap
Emotional vulnerability is contagious—when one person opens up, it often encourages others to do the same, fostering deeper emotional bonds. Propose a vulnerability swap where each person shares one thing they’ve been keeping to themselves.
4. Create a ‘Playlist Swap’
Music is strongly tied to emotional memory. Sharing playlists allows people to communicate feelings and experiences without direct verbal conversation, making it an expressive, low-pressure way to connect. Swap playlists with a friend and discuss the emotions or memories behind the songs.
5. Play a Conversation Card Game
Playful activities reduce anxiety, and random prompts help break conversational barriers. The surprise factor of pulling out questions eases people into more open conversations. Interflora’s Conversations in Bloom conversation cards contain 25 thought-provoking prompts to encourage spontaneous conversation
6. Suggest a “Storytelling” Dinner
Sharing personal stories helps create empathy and understanding, allowing people to express emotions indirectly through narrative, making it easier to open up. Organise a dinner where each person shares a personal story based on a chosen theme to foster meaningful conversations.
7. Try a Shared Journal
Writing helps people express thoughts they might struggle to share verbally. A shared journal allows for deeper reflection, leading to more meaningful conversations. Start a shared journal where you and your loved one write down thoughts and reflections for each other to read.
8. Designate a “Talk Signal”
Non-verbal cues help alleviate the pressure of directly asking for conversation, making it easier for people to communicate their need to talk without fear of rejection or awkwardness. Agree on a casual signal (like an emoji or phrase) that means “I need to talk” to make it easier to start important conversations.
9. Start a “Question of the Day” Text
Regular, casual engagement helps build conversational momentum over time. Asking a fun or light question via text makes it easier to ease into deeper discussions. Send a question of the day to a friend or family member to slowly build more meaningful conversations.
10. Create a ‘Check-In Calendar’
Regular check-ins help normalise emotional sharing and reduce the avoidance of difficult conversations. Consistency allows people to feel more comfortable opening up over time. Set a weekly or monthly check-in time to have a regular emotional catch-up with a friend or family member, making difficult conversations less daunting.
“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.”
Bethany Day, Brand Manager at Interflora
The Conversation In Bloom cards will be available to buy from the Interflora website from 1st October, with an RRP of just £10 and free delivery. (All proceeds from the sale of our conversation cards will be donated to Zest Theatre. REG CHARITY NO: 1144299)
