Speaking up fear. The paralyzing dread of voicing your opinion, especially in group settings. For years, I remained silent in meetings, conversations, and even casual discussions, terrified of saying the wrong thing, being judged, or sounding foolish. My thoughts remained trapped in my head, unvoiced, unheard. Then, one moment, fueled by frustration and a sudden surge of courage, I spoke up. And…didn’t die.
It was a meeting. A point was being debated that I strongly disagreed with. My heart pounded, my palms sweated, but I opened my mouth and…spoke. My voice trembled slightly, but the words came out. And guess what? The world didn’t end. No one laughed. No one ridiculed me. In fact, people listened. Engaged. And even…agreed.
Speaking up and not dying wasn’t about suddenly becoming a confident orator, but about shattering a self-imposed fear. It was about realizing that my voice mattered, that my opinions were valid, and that speaking up, while scary, was not catastrophic. The fear of speaking up lessened, replaced by a newfound sense of agency and self-expression. Your voice deserves to be heard. Speak up, even when it’s scary. You might be surprised at what happens when you do.