Are These Overused Words and Phrases Ruining Your Writing Style?

In writing, when telling a story, planning a travel guide or sharing a moment... fresh language is everything. It’s like a good cup of coffee: it wakes you up, adds clarity, lingers in all the right ways.

But when we reach for the same tired phrases over and over again, our words lose their flavour. And what could have been bold and rich ends up feeling... reheated.

Of course, stale coffee still has its place. But indulgent? Memorable? Not quite.

Why Word Choice Matters

This blog post was fired by a post on Instagram. Handle @elevateetiquette, an account run by Alison Cheperdak. It got me thinking about the words and phrases we return to again and again in our writing. Sometimes without even realising. It reminded me of a few lines I’d written myself, scattered across different posts, stories and scribbled in old notebooks. So I decided to pull them together here and unpack why certain words lose their magic, and how we can instead, revive our voice.

Make yourself a Frappe, it is quick (I promise) and let’s pour out some of those worn-out expressions. The ones quietly dulling our voice and refill with stronger, fresher content.

“Before I knew it…”

This one skips over the good stuff. The actual transformation or experience and rushes to the summary.

Instead of:

Before I knew it, I had spent three hours in the café.

Try:

One latte turned into two, my ‘quick stop’ stretched into an afternoon and somehow, I was on a first-name basis with the barista. Or: Between the warm lighting, smooth jazz and dangerously good croissants, time simply ceased to exist.

These versions let the moment unfold. We want readers to feel time slipping, not just be told it did.

“From the moment I arrived…”

This phrase often feels like filler. Writing equivalent of tapping the mic before the speech begins.

Instead of warming up with it, just start with the moment itself. Let the details speak.

A bell chimed as I opened the door, the air scented of espresso and warm cinnamon buns.

Instant atmosphere. No timestamp required.

“The staff were amazing.” - But Why?

We’ve all said it. But as readers we want to know why.

Try:

The barista not only remembered my name but also somehow knew exactly how I like my latte. That, or they’re psychic. Or I’ve just been here too often.

It’s those tiny, human details that make writing connect. Praise lands best when it’s personal, not generic.

“They went above and beyond.” - Empty Praise

Sounds generous but tells us nothing new. Like calling a triple-layer chocolate cake “pretty good.” Technically true but we’re missing the moment. (Chuckled to myself after writing this)

Try:

The barista saw me eyeing the last grape Danish and quietly set it aside while I debated my order. Saving me from the heartbreak of flaky, fruity, pastry regret.

We’ve all had that moment. Now your readers feel it too.

“Dreamy” (and “Cosy”)

These two are the writing equivalent of tossing a filter over a photo. They aim to create a mood but are so much lacking in depth.

Instead of:

The café was dreamy.

Try:

Sunlight streamed through the windows, painting golden patterns on rustic wooden tables, while the scent of warm cinnamon and espresso wrapped around me like a hug I didn’t know I needed.

Yes I do love to paint a picture but let’s not just label a place, let’s let it breathe.

“Tucked away”

We all love discovering places that feel secret or special. But “tucked away” doesn’t do the moment justice. Unless of course we add detail.

Try:

Tucked between a sleepy bookstore and a florist that always smells like spring, this café feels like a secret only the best coffee lovers know about.

It’s a phrase we don’t have to abandon — just one we can reimagine with texture.

“It was perfect” (and “It was amazing”) - Generic Sentiment

These are words we reach for when we feel something but can’t quite describe it. The result? A vague sentiment that could apply to anything.

Try:

The coffee was hot, the Wi-Fi strong and for once, the barista spelled my name right. Truly, a miracle.

Or:

It was so perfect that even the espresso gave me a standing ovation and those tiny cups, they aren’t exactly known for their flair.

Perfection is rare. But real moments? Full of character.

“Luxury”

Here’s one we see everywhere. especially in travel, lifestyle and content creation. But “luxury” has become so overused, we’re not even sure what it means anymore. Is it marble bathrooms and monogrammed robes? Or simply time, silence and no notifications?

Instead of:

We stayed at a luxury hotel.

Try:

Yes, the bathroom was white marble. But the real indulgence? The silence. Just me, a freestanding tub and no 'to-do' lists.

Luxury looks different for all of us. Let’s define it clearly, not vaguely. Let's show it without ever saying it.

Capturing writing ideas in a notebook

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Many of these words and phrases aren’t wrong. They’re just tired. Familiar to the point of invisibility. And when we lean on them too heavily, our writing starts to blur into everyone else’s.

But when we slow down and describe what we actually saw, felt or noticed the sparkle returns. The voice is sharper. The connection deeper.

If we want our writing to feel bold, clear and personal we need to stop reaching for stale metaphors and start pouring the good stuff.

Tell Me, What Phrases Are You Retiring?

Looking back, I realise many of these overused lines made their way into posts I once loved. And still do. The goal here isn’t to write perfectly but to write with more awareness. And that often starts by revisiting our own words and finding the ones we want to rewrite.

What about you? Are there any words or phrases you’ve personally overused or regularly come across? What would you happily retire?

Drop them in the comments. Let’s create a mini blacklist (or better alternatives). Or do we need a part 2.

PS - Many of these may seem travel and or lifestyle related and that'd be because yours truly reads that many travel articles and spreads.