This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2370, English vocabulary to leave your worries at the door.
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Hello, Michelle. How are you?
I'm good, Aubrey. Nice to see you.
Happy to record with you today.
How are you? I know.
Great. This is so fun.
I have a question. What color is your door, like the front door of your house?
My door is a bluish purple.
I believe you would call it periwinkle.
Oh, that is very fun.
And one of the most fun names for a color, periwinkle.
I love that. Periwinkle.
It's like a light – is it blue?
Is it light blue? Is it light purple?
I don't know. it's periwinkle um that and that was my risky decision of oh okay I want a fun door color this is a little out there so you painted it that color it wasn't that color when you bought the home yes yes so my door is very boring it's like really dark brown almost black but recently we had kind of a mishap because it is sort of sun faded it faces the sun and um so we tried to fix it, but it was stained originally.
So we were trying to restain over it.
A few leaves was not working.
So finally, we're really like, we're just going to have to paint it, but I think we have to sand it down first.
It's a whole thing.
Oh gosh. I wouldn't even know where to start with that, but that's fun.
So today we are going to talk about an expression using the word door that is really useful and fun.
This expression is to leave something at the door.
What do you think about this one, Aubrey?
I've thought about this a few times when we start recording podcasts because to leave something at the door means you have to forget it, close that door and start something else.
Sometimes I'll be having a bad day.
Something bad is happening.
I really have to leave that at the door in order to be positive and energetic here.
Yeah, exactly. Because on the podcast, we're not going to share all of my woes and problems with you guys.
I mean, sometimes the issues with the kids or something come out, but I try to leave it at the door.
Exactly. Exactly. So Aubrey, this actually came up on an episode of the Business English Podcast that I recorded with Lindsay.
It was from episode 378, which I actually think was probably just yesterday, I think.
So guys, check out the Business English podcast.
This episode was called How to Catch Attention When You Introduce a Change in English.
And in this episode, we said leave your preconceptions at the door.
This is, you know, we realized that it's very powerful to say leave something at the door.
So we decided to take a full episode to discuss this, but I wanted to bring it back over here to All Ears English.
Yeah, I'm excited. This is a great expression.
We use it and hear it a lot.
And this is really powerful to say, leave something at the door.
If you're admitting you need to leave something at the door, you are being vulnerable.
You're admitting that not everything is perfect because the really happy, positive, fun things, you wouldn't need to leave them at the door.
Right? True. Yeah. That's a really good point.
But are we talking about literally leaving, literally leaving something at the door?
Good question. No, this is idiomatic.
You could say if a package is being delivered, oh, leave that at the door.
There is this literal use, but we use this actually more often idiomatically to say, forget something, to put pause on something, to put something on pause.
Yes, exactly. So to leave something at the door.
So to start with the door.
So this is again, about when you begin something when you enter some place or situation so that's the idea of why we use the door for it so you're entering a room you're entering a situation a place whatever it is and you have to you you have the door but you are going in the door and you're leaving something there so the something is whatever you're holding on to so like Aubrey Aubrey said some sort of thing that's going on in your life maybe maybe you're holding on to a grudge with someone or an opinion or even a bias or some drama, negative feelings, whatever it is.
But like Aubrey said, it's not, you're not leaving positive things at the door.
Exactly. It's interesting how often we use doors metaphorically in English, right?
We have the expression when one door closes, another one opens.
It's never like literal doors.
Like it's metaphorical, this feeling of, you know, just a space opening in your mind or in your heart, maybe, right?
It's a lot more about feelings.
Right. Exactly. So to come in with that new mindset and which we did touch on on that Business English episode.
So definitely be sure to listen to that because it really does connect to today's episode.
So head on over to the Business English podcast after this and make sure you hit follow there as well as on this podcast.
So let's do some examples.
Aubrey, you want to do the first one?
Yeah. I know you're totally exhausted, but try to leave it all at the door now and just enjoy the night.
I could totally see myself saying this to my partner or him saying it to me, right?
If you know someone's not in a great headspace, they're tired, say, okay, leave it at the door so we can still have fun tonight.
Right. Especially with having kids, um, you know, you want a parent to come in.
Yeah. Things, it's hard.
It's hard to be an adult and have things go on at work or maybe that are difficult, But you know, to always try and come in and not bring it into the space with your kids at night, right?
Exactly, right. Or otherwise, that's rarely exhausting, especially exhausting if it carries through not only all day, but then into the night.
At some point, you've got to leave it at the door.
Exactly, exactly. So here's another one.
Leave all your self -doubt at the door.
It's time to get our bodies moving.
So I'm imagining you go into an exercise class, and it's a tough one.
And maybe they're trying to get everybody motivated, the instructor and they said, leave yourself down at the door.
Right. I could see Cody saying this.
Michelle and I are both fans of Cody Rigsby.
A little shout out to a Peloton instructor who's so funny.
I will not do a class from anybody else anymore.
I think it's just, I always go to Cody.
That's so funny. I've, I tried, I dabble.
I try to like do some of the other ones, but it's never the same.
It's true every time.
It's just such, and he would totally, he does that, right?
He'll motivate you, like, leave it all at the door and enjoy this class.
Yes. I, I, yeah, I love him.
He is so funny. Okay.
Or, um, so here's another example.
Uh, this could be maybe in a yoga class, breathe in, leave your stress at the door.
This is your time to relax.
Yes, right. So you're managing, leave your stress at the door.
When you entered the yoga studio, you're unpacking your stress and leaving it out in the hall.
Yes, exactly. Or what's another example?
One more. You could say, I told him to leave his emotions at the door.
I know it's hard, but we have to show strength.
So yeah, this is tricky when it comes to emotion.
Sometimes we're encouraged, like yes, show emotion, share emotion.
And sometimes it's not the right time you have to leave it at the door that's true I mean Aubrey do you have any tips or tricks of how to leave negative feelings at the door do you do anything to when you come into a new space or when you start recording or anything like that how do you how do you do that I think that I have been able to develop a lot of cognitive dissonance in my life having grown up in the family, with the religion that I did, that I was able to develop that a lot.
And so now I do feel like this is a skill that I can really just sort of shut it off, leave it at the door and enjoy the time that I'm at regardless of what is happening.
So that's one perk for some things that I, you know, struggled with as a youth.
Interesting. Well, so it makes you, it gives you a strong backbone for, for your current life.
Yeah. Yeah. And just that ability to, because some people are really affected.
Let's say you go to a job interview and it's not a good day.
Maybe you got pulled over or in a wreck on the way to the job interview.
And I do think a lot of people would have a hard time leaving those emotions at the door and still performing at a hundred percent.
Yeah. Understandably.
Right. And I do feel like this is sort of a skill that I could just shut that off.
It's gone. Like it never happened.
And I'm performing.
That's good. That's very impressive, Aubrey.
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Okay, so let's talk about some other ways we might express is feeling.
So the first one is to check it out the door.
So same idea is leave something at the door to check something at the door.
So check your attitude at the door.
We all need to get along.
Yeah, this is a little more harsh probably because we wouldn't say it to ourselves as much.
I need to check my attitude at the door.
You're probably saying it to someone else.
It's a little bit critical, right?
True. Very good point.
That is the difference.
That one is more critical than just, oh, leave it at the door, right?
That one's a little bit smoother, just a little piece more peaceful this one it sounds like you're being scolded maybe so right maybe you're implying that they usually don't they're usually bringing an attitude in this time you need to check your attitude at the door yes exactly or what's another one aubrey you let something go so before we get started let's all try to let go of the grudges we might be holding after yesterday's argument i can't help but you think about frozen the song yes let it go yes the whole point of the whole song.
Every mom of daughters has seen this and maybe sons too.
But yeah, this is a really common popular one.
Just let it go. Just like try to forget it and not let it affect you.
Exactly. Yes. I do have a two -year -old now who likes to sing.
Oh, you've seen Frozen.
Yeah. Or just leave it behind.
Just leave something behind.
So you could say, leave your negativity behind.
We are here to have a good time.
Yes. Those are all great.
And what an amazing connection skill.
If you're meeting someone for the first time or you know meeting with a friend you haven't seen in a while and you're not having the best day you're probably going to want to leave behind any negativity or frustration because you're otherwise it would be really difficult to connect with that person right yeah you have to be present right that's what this is that's what this is ultimately about being present um being able to just focus on where you are in the moment and not let the rest bother you.
So I mean, I know for Lindsay, I know, yoga and meditation, things like that.
For me, I do like reading helps me or taking a walk or watching a funny show helps me a lot.
Any other things that help?
Yeah, sports for me, for sure.
If I go play volleyball or pickleball, that it's like you don't have time or the brain space to think about anything else.
So it really kind of helps clear your head I think I and Lindsay and I actually we always say podcasting too because you we can only think about what we're doing now and it's a fun talk it's a great time right we're having we're focused on teaching and connecting on all of that so you have to like like Aubrey said before leave things at the door yeah absolutely I have a feeling this will be our Spotify poll today we want to know what it is for you guys like you know what are these strategies that you use to leave something at the door.
And I feel like this is just such a good skill.
If you haven't practiced it in advance, it would be difficult.
And sometimes it's just necessary.
Check everything at the door.
Leave it at the door so that you can perform or connect.
Exactly. So let's do a role play.
We're not going to use all of these because it would be too much.
But here we are, friends.
And I am coming to meet you after I just quit my job oh gosh oh no I'll start us wow so how are you uh I can't believe that happened I'm honestly trying to leave it all at the door I just want to enjoy this hangout okay I get it you want to just let it go definitely I'm just ready to leave it behind oh this is so good we can go through this but I think this is so wise to be able to be open about this is even better than what I was saying just like shut it off and forget it didn't happen if you can share with a friend, like things aren't perfect, but I'm going to leave it at the door, name it,
and then say you're going to leave it at the door is even better.
Right, right, right.
Exactly. So let's go through it.
So let's see. I said, I'm honestly trying to leave it all at the door.
I just want to enjoy this hangout.
So I'm saying I'm not, I don't really want to spend time talking about this because it doesn't make me feel good.
I'm saying I want to spend time with you, Aubrey.
I don't want to spend time talking about this.
And that's fine. Right.
And that is fine. Right.
And then I responded, I get it.
You just want to let it go.
This is such a good connection skill.
If someone doesn't want to go, you know, hash out all the details.
This is what you want to say.
Like totally get it.
You want to leave it at the door.
Exactly. And then I said, definitely.
I'm just ready to leave it behind.
So leave those negative feelings behind.
I don't want to talk about that today.
So it might just be too fresh.
Right. Maybe you'll talk about it at another time.
Yeah, true. Maybe, yeah, sometimes things are just too fresh.
It's not gonna, maybe I know it's gonna make me cry or feel some intense emotions and I'm not ready.
I'm not in a good state to discuss it right now, totally.
Exactly, exactly. So Aubrey, what would you say the takeaway is for today?
Yeah, I think there are a few things.
I think this is such a good connection skill to have these phrases and be ready to show understanding and vulnerability, to admit if you need to leave something behind, leave it at the door, to recognize when a friend doesn't want to go into details.
What great connection skills.
Yeah, absolutely. Well, thanks so much for hanging out with me today, Aubrey, and just being able to leave everything at the door and podcast with you is great for my mental well -being.
Same. I agree. Thank you, Michelle.
This was really fun.
I will see you next time.
See you soon. Bye, Aubrey.
Bye. Thanks for listening to All Ears English.
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