Leave rooms and teams better.

When you leave a room or a team, try to “leave rooms and teams better” — those five small words can change how people feel and how you feel about yourself. Think of them as a promise to be kind, honest, and brave in tiny moments: say “thank you” when someone helps, “good game” when it’s over, “I’m sorry” when you hurt someone, and “I need a break” when you’re getting too upset. Small phrases make big differences because they show you care and that you notice others. If you had a fight with a teammate, a simple “I messed up, can we talk?” or “I want to try again” opens the door to fixing things. If you’re leaving a classroom or a practice, “I’ll help clean up” or “I’ll finish this later” keeps things calm and shows responsibility. When you feel hurt, instead of walking away silently, try “I’m feeling sad right now, can we pause?” — it’s okay to take space, but telling people what you need helps everyone understand and prevents rumors or confusion. Practice short, honest lines like “I appreciate you,” “You did great,” “I forgive you,” and even “I forgive myself” — forgiving others and yourself is a powerful way to heal. Remember to match your words with actions: pick up trash, return equipment, send a quick message if you can’t stay, and don’t spread gossip after you go. If you’re leaving a team because it’s not right for you, say “This team isn’t the best fit for me, thank you for the time” — that’s respectful and keeps bridges open. If someone else leaves upset, try “I’m here if you want to talk” or “We’ll miss you,” because showing you notice can stop loneliness. When emotions are high, breathe and use phrases that slow things down: “Pause for a minute,” “I need time,” or “Can we talk later?” This teaches you how to handle strong feelings without making things worse. Practice these lines out loud when you’re calm so they come easier in a tough moment; role-play with a friend, write them on a card, or keep a list in your pocket. Leaving a room or a team better doesn’t mean fixing everything — it means trying to leave kindness, clarity, and respect behind. Little words build trust, and trust makes teams and rooms safer places to learn, play, and grow. You don’t have to be perfect; every time you choose kindness or honesty, you’re practicing being the kind of person others want around — and that matters more than you might think.