We Asked A Life Coach How To Have That Sensitive Convo You’ve Been Putting Off

We Asked A Life Coach How To Have That Sensitive Convo You’ve Been Putting Off

By
Gemma Srijan

Have you been dreading the need to have that conversation? You know, the one that makes you toss and turn in your sleep and ask Google way too many questions in incognito mode?

Don’t worry, bestie, we’ve all been there.

To give those Chrome tabs a break, we brought in the big guns: Bronwen Sciortinoto, Life Coach, CEO of ShelQ Life, and our unofficial Sensodyne Sensitivity Coach. 

She’s had over 30 years of experience in handling those pesky sensitive convos, so it’s safe to say that we’re in good hands here, folks. 

Get your notes app out and listen up, because I for one, think these truth bombs are not to be missed. 

I’ve been unhappy in my relationship of 10 years for some time and want to break up with my partner. How can I approach this sensitive conversation?

Most people start this kind of conversation by rehearsing the words.

But the truth is — the most important work happens long before you speak.

Sharing a decade with someone means you’re not just ending a relationship, but unweaving a shared rhythm. 

Before you talk, steady yourself. You’re not here to win an argument or justify your feelings — you’re here to close a chapter with respect.

Remember, endings aren’t failures. You’re not breaking something; you’re creating space for two people to live more truthfully.

It’s common for long-lasting things in your life to feel routine, especially with something as emotionally binding as a relationship. 

Bronwen’s reminder that “endings aren’t failures” in particular struck a chord. BRB, getting it tatted ASAP. 

I’m worried that my friend isn’t taking the best care of themselves. They’re partying a lot, constantly sick and always cancelling plans. I want them to start prioritising their health – how do I have this sensitive conversation? 

When someone you love is stuck in self-destruction, your instinct is to fix it.

But here’s the truth: you can’t just pull someone out of the storm.

Start with connection, not correction. Instead of leading with what’s “wrong” with them, try something like, “You haven’t seemed yourself lately — are you okay?” One opens a door. The other builds a wall.

Listen more than you speak. People often already know they’re off-track; when someone feels seen instead of judged, that’s when real change happens.

Health doesn’t start with kale or cardio; it starts with self-worth. Your friend may not listen to your words, so the most powerful thing you can do is quietly model what that looks like.

Modelling self-care can take many forms, such as cooking yourself a good meal, going for a hot girl walk, and even practising good dental hygiene. 

Sensodyne has a range of products that cater for tooth sensitivity in the same way that you’re looking for techniques to solve this sensitive topic. Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste is proven to have 3x better repair* for sensitive teeth by building a protective layer over those sensitive bits.

*forms a protective layer over the sensitive areas of the teeth. Brush twice a day for lasting sensitivity protection. Always read the label and follow directions for use.

Prioritising all aspects of health — even the dental ones — can be tough, but Bronwen hit the nail on the head. Model it yourself, and perhaps your friend will follow suit.

My friend isn’t putting effort into our friendship anymore. It seems like she is always putting other friends before me. I don’t want to upset her by bringing it up, but I’m feeling really down about it. How do I manage this sensitive situation?

It’s easy to assume the friendship is fading — but really, life has shifted the rhythm between you. The hardest truth is that some connections are just meant to evolve.

Ask yourself — are you seeking clarity, or closeness?

If it’s clarity, approach it gently — “I’ve missed our time together and wanted to see how you’re feeling.” That keeps the space open.

If it’s closeness, try reconnecting through shared joy instead of confrontation.

But here’s what most people miss: you don’t need her effort to validate your worth.

Friendships are meant to feel mutual, not measured. If you find yourself doing all the reaching, step back — not in punishment, but in peace.

The right people will always notice your absence.

Period, Bronwen. Sometimes letting go is the best thing you can do for yourself. Friendship breakups can be just as hard as relationship ones, so don’t beat yourself up for feeling sad about this. At the end of the day, though, no one is worth dampening your sunshine. 

I’ve been avoiding my health for years – particularly my dental health. My teeth are super sensitive and haven’t been able to eat ice cream forever! How can I start putting myself and my health first? 

Most people think putting themselves first starts with action but it actually starts with identity.

You can’t sustain what you don’t think you deserve, and often neglecting health isn’t laziness, but a quiet reflection that we’ve learned to put ourselves last.

Start by asking yourself, “What makes me think my well-being is negotiable?”

From there, choose small, self-honouring steps — not punishment plans. Remind yourself what it feels like to enjoy life and be cared for.

Health isn’t a chore, but a conversation with your future self.

As Bronwen said, small self-honouring steps are the best way to implement change in your life. Unfortunately, waking up one morning and deciding you’re gonna start the 75 hard challenge ain’t gonna cut it. 

Making small conscious choices, such as changing your toothpaste to tackle that tooth sensitivity issue that you’ve been having, can be a good first step. 

Brands like Sensodyne offer a variety of options for your specific dental needs, whatever your priority may be. Choosing products for your health needs can kickstart your dental hygiene journey sooner rather than later.

I’ve recently been promoted to team leader and struggling to manage a team member who isn’t pulling their weight. We’re good friends at work, which makes it hard. How do I approach this sensitive conversation?

This is one of those moments where leadership meets loyalty — it’s easy to feel torn between the two.

Here’s the truth: friendship and leadership don’t cancel each other out; they just require clarity.

Start by separating the person from the pattern. You’re naming a behaviour, not attacking their character. This small mindset shift keeps the conversation grounded, not personal.

Great leaders don’t rescue people — they remind them they’re capable.

Acknowledging that you’re not your friend’s saviour is an important thing to remind yourself of in every situation. If you try to protect your friends from every conflict, it’s bound to boil over soon enough. 

Being an honest but fair leader shouldn’t be the catalyst to tarnishing a friendship, so if it does, there might be some deeper issues you need to explore (uh-oh, another sensitive convo).

I don’t know about you guys, but the air feels a little bit lighter now. Bronwen really broke it down for us and gave wonderfully empathetic insights on how to approach these sensitive topics. 

Now, it’s your turn to have your own sensitive convo. Whether it’s talking to yourself about finally solving that tooth sensitivity issue, or talking to your friend about how you’re really feeling, there’s no time like the present. I believe in you!  

This piece was brought to you in partnership with Sensodyne as a part of our Sensodyne Sensitive Chats series. Sensodyne is the #1 brand for sensitive teeth.**

Always read the label and follow directions for use.

**Data sourced from Circana MarketEdge based on data definitions provided by Haleon Australia Pty Ltd. 

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