Word of the Week: Parry

par·ry /ˈperē/ - verb - To ward off or deflect. Not to attack, not to absorb—but to skillfully redirect. It’s the art of choosing what deserves your energy, and what simply doesn’t.

There’s a cultural script that tells us we have to fight back every time we’re challenged—speak louder, push harder, win the argument, prove the point.

But what if you didn’t have to?

What if you could parry instead?

To parry is to redirect, not react. It’s the graceful move in fencing where, instead of lunging forward, you shift your blade just enough to keep yourself safe without striking back. It’s not about surrender or weakness—it’s about discernment, strategy, and energy preservation.

In real life, parrying might look like:

• Changing the subject when someone brings up your body, your parenting, or your choices.

• Pausing instead of firing off a reactive text.

• Walking away from a power struggle you never needed to win.

• Letting someone else’s opinion bounce instead of burrow.

  
  

There’s power in choosing not to fight every battle. Not everything (or everyone) deserves full access to your energy.

This week, try noticing where you’re being pulled into conflict—internally or externally—and ask:

“Is this a fight I need to take on… or can I simply parry and protect my peace?”

You’re allowed to be firm without being fierce. You’re allowed to move with intention, not impulse. You’re allowed to be soft and strong at the same time.

Action Plan: Practicing the Parry

🔹 Pause Before You Respond: When something stings, take a breath before reacting. Ask: “Do I want to engage… or protect my peace?”

🔹 Practice the Redirect: Prep a neutral sentence you can use to exit a tense convo. Try: “That’s not something I want to get into today.”

🔹 Give Yourself the Last Word—Silently: Not every thought needs to be spoken. Sometimes your own validation is enough.

Positive Self-Talk Options

✨ “I don’t have to attend every argument I’m invited to.”

✨ “Silence or softness is not weakness—it’s wisdom.”

✨ “My energy is precious. I choose where it goes.”

✨ “I am allowed to walk away to protect my peace.”

Parry reminds us that power doesn’t always come from pushing—it often lives in the pause, the redirection, the quiet strength of knowing when not to engage. This week, let this word guide you toward more intentional reactions, healthier boundaries, and a gentler kind of resilience.

You don’t have to swing every time someone hands you a sword.

Sometimes the strongest move is the one that protects your peace.

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About the Author:

Elizabeth Rago is a word-loving, community-building powerhouse who’s just as comfortable wrangling RFPs as she is wrangling teenagers (which says a lot about her patience and project management skills).

By day, she's a Proposal Writer, crafting winning messaging for big business. When the workday ends, she trades deadlines for dinner duty and teenage debates — holding it all together with love, Earl Grey tea, and a well-honed sense of humor.

After walking through a rough season in her own life, Elizabeth saw firsthand how isolating it can be for women going through hard times. Instead of sitting in that shame, she founded MDW (The Modern Domestic Woman) — a warm, practical, and no-nonsense space where women can find resources, support, and a whole lot of real talk. From mental health referrals to interviews with therapists and lifestyle articles, MDW has become a haven for women who want community without the fluff.

Elizabeth has spent over 20 years writing for just about every industry under the sun — from luxury kitchen design and sustainable living to commercial insurance and mental health advocacy. She’s ghostwritten for executives, co-hosted a podcast about the hilarity and chaos of motherhood, and even helped spotlight fascinating local people and places through her syndicated column.

Equal parts strategy and soul, Elizabeth believes in the power of storytelling, the magic of a strong community, and never underestimates the therapeutic power of a well-placed meme. Learn more about Elizabeth at MDWcares.com or connect with her on Insta or LinkedIn.