Why is it that the moment someone says “we don’t talk about that”, our curiosity kicks into overdrive? Taboos are like locked doors in our collective house—we know they’re there, we just pretend not to notice. Every circle has its own list of untouchables: money, politics, sex, grief, race, faith, mental health. It’s funny how the things that shape our lives most are the ones we dodge in conversation.

But here’s the twist: taboos aren’t really about the topic itself—they’re about our discomfort. We silence what scares us. Sometimes that’s about protection; other times, it’s just habit. Yet breaking the silence can be freeing. When we start naming what’s been off-limits, it makes space for connection and understanding. Suddenly, you realize other people have been thinking the same “unsayable” thoughts all along.

So maybe “taboo” isn’t a red flag—it’s a conversation starter. It’s the universe whispering, “Go ahead, talk about it.” Because the things we tiptoe around are often the very ones we need to face if we want to grow.

Collage by Heather Polk, “What is Taboo? 2.24.2026”, 2026, torn magazine pages on watercolor paper, 9 in x 12 in