Pain, Perseverance & Potty Mouths
Over the last three weeks, I’ve had what can only be described as a very special kind of agony. First, toothache so bad I considered taking up head-vice artistry. Then, after the extraction, pain so excruciating I fantasised about running my head through a Ninja blender (don’t try this at home or anywhere for that matter!)
The only thing sharper than the pain? My temper. Normally I’m a delight (no, really). But when you’ve had zero hours of sleep and the side of your face feels like it’s auditioning for a horror film, your tolerance levels plummet. Small irritations suddenly feel like a heinous war crime.
Which got me thinking: is pain in business the same as pain in the dentist’s chair? And, when you’re faced with either kind of pain, how much swearing is acceptable?
Let’s fucking discuss it.
Pain vs. Business Pain
Running The Cluster for over a year now, I’ve noticed parallels between dental pain and entrepreneurial pain – go with it!
Toothache = your website crashes. You know it’s coming. It always comes at the worst time.
Extraction = hosting an outdoor event in British weather. Everyone smiles bravely while silently screaming inside.
Recovery = realising a client has “changed direction” and now wants to pay you in “exposure.”
And just like with real pain, you think you’ve toughened up. “Oh, I’ve been through this before, I’ll cope better this time.” Except you don’t. Because pain, physical or entrepreneurial, always finds new and exciting ways to mess with you. The good news? Surviving one round makes you slightly better prepared for the next. You learn that you won’t, in fact, actually die from a double-booking or a rogue rainstorm. And that’s progress. Sort of.
The Swearing Question
When I was mid-tooth-saga, the only honest response was swearing. Out loud. At volume. Possibly in front of the Amazon delivery guy. But does that fly in business? Can you drop an f-bomb as a business owner without alienating your customers?
The science bit (yes, there’s science)
Research from Keele University shows swearing actually increases pain tolerance. People who swore while holding their hand in freezing water lasted longer than people who politely muttered “gosh” and “crumbs.”
Another study (Scientific American covered this) found that swearing isn’t a sign of a poor vocabulary. In fact, people who could rattle off more swear words were usually more verbally fluent overall. Translation: potty mouths are often clever clogs.
Cleveland Clinic even suggests swearing helps with honesty, creativity, and emotional release. Basically: it’s free therapy with a side of spice.
So, when the business gremlins strike and you mutter “oh for fuck’s sake,” congratulations, you’re not unprofessional, you’re participating in advanced pain management.
Where It Gets Tricky
Of course, context matters. There’s a world of difference between dropping an f-bomb in a blog post and telling your accountant to “fuck off” because they reminded you about VAT.
Swearing, like painkillers, works best in moderation. Too much and you lose the effect. Too little and you miss the relief. Just enough and people think: this person is real, relatable, possibly in need of a nap but definitely human.
At The Cluster, my tone is cheeky, tongue-in-cheek, like chatting with your neighbour over the garden fence (except I’m trying to get you to rent a desk). If a well-placed swear helps, then so be it.
So, Should You Swear in Business?
Short answer: fuck yes.
Longer answer: fuck yes, but strategically.
Use swearing when:
You need release from real or metaphorical toothache.
You want to sound human, not like a LinkedIn bot.
The situation genuinely warrants it.
Avoid swearing when:
You’re pitching to a client who still thinks “gosh darn” is edgy.
You’re writing an official complaint letter to HMRC.
You’re trying to convince your dentist you’re a normal, well-adjusted adult.
The Bit Where I Pretend to Be Wise
Pain, whether it’s in your jaw or your business, reminds you of two things:
You can’t do it all alone. Sometimes you need painkillers, dentists, or indie business pals who’ve been through it before (thanks Independent Oxford and all you local legends.)
You’re allowed to admit it hurts. Pretending everything’s fine helps no one.
Bite-Sized Takeaway
Pain sucks. You’ll survive it.
Swearing helps. Science says so.
Authenticity matters more than polish.
Know your audience.
And always, always respect the healing power of Ibuprofen.
Until next time… may your websites stay live, your events stay dry, and your swear words stay cathartic.
Kevin, your mildly chaotic entrepreneur with slightly fewer teeth.
