It’s a sad fact, but a lot of people go through their lives feeling like their voice is never really heard – and they might not even really know what their voice actually is at all. Maybe that’s because they spent years in a job where speaking up wasn’t exactly encouraged, for example, or perhaps there was a certain family dynamic where keeping things quiet was for the best.
But whatever the reason, finding your voice again when you’re an adult can feel very strange indeed, even though it’s absolutely essential. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about finding your voice when you’ve spent years feeling quiet.
Start With The Small Things
A lot of people think finding their voice actually means suddenly becoming outspoken and loud, but it’s not like that – is usually begins literally quietly, with things like saying what you want for dinner rather than just going along with the group, or giving your real opinion when you’re asked instead of telling people what they want to hear. Or even asking for a bit more information when you’re unsure about something, rather than just trying to work it out yourself.
These things might seem small, but once you get started they’ll definitely build up and once they do, you’ll see that you’re able to finally speak your mind, ask the right questions, and ultimately you’ll be yourself, and that’s amazing.
Practising Confidence In Small Places
It can be hard to get this idea started, even when you know it’s definitely something that’s going to help you, and that’s why you might need a safe place or places to give it a go and experiment a bit without any judgement. So what do we mean? Well, some people join writing groups or start journaling, for example, and others might rehearse conversations with a friend in advance of needing to do it in real life.
And if you want to be creative, you could even book some time at a specialist space like a podcast studio – that can feel like an act of reclamation all by itself, and it’s the ideal way to tell people that your story really does matter, and that they need to hear it without interruption. Plus, there’s something incredibly powerful and confidence-boosting about sitting in a studio and finally letting your words out – you’re doing it on your own terms, and that’s something special.
Understanding Why You Went Quiet In The First Place
Most of the time, being quiet for a long time doesn’t come about because of someone’s personality, but instead it comes from something that happened to you or around you. Perhaps you spoke up a few times but it always led to anger or an argument, for example, or perhaps you were just always dismissed and your ideas were ignored, so you gave up offering them up.
The point is, once you understand why you stopped speaking up, you’ll be able to look at things differently and try again. The best way to learn is from the past, and once you’re in a safe place to do it, it can be massively helpful in ensuring you’re able to find your voice again and move forward.
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