7 Reasons I Was Scared to Speak Up (and What I Did About It)

People hear you on the level you speak to them from. Speak from your heart, and they will hear with theirs.

– Marianne Williamson

My voice matters and my heart was desperately pleading with me to finally let it speak out. And to speak up. My heart wanted to show up authentically and stop being shut down in expressing my true self.

Over the past years, I’ve had to navigate a new life after hard breakups, difficult career transitions, and moving back home. I’ve had to face feelings that I’m not doing enough. That I am not enough.

I knew I owe it to myself to show up. I knew I owe it to myself to be present as I am. I knew I owe it to myself to finally come out from the back curtains and take center stage where my heart can shine.

I deserved to speak from my heart. Plain and simple.

I deserved to be heard in the presence of others, to have my opinions matter.

I deserved to voice my truth where I am strong enough to say what I have to say.

I deserved to own my story with the hardships, the successes, and the lessons to share the power of my voice.

I tried not to make my voice small when I want to speak so loudly that it hurts. It’s hard.

I tried not to be unapologetic for taking the time to express what I feel to others when the person I should be accommodating to is myself first. It’s challenging.

I tried not to bottle up my emotions because the longer I do, the longer it would take to get past ignoring them. It’s complicated.

After I finally have moments to pause and breathe, I gently reminded myself again and again that I am enough. That I deserved to speak from the heart and to be heard. I was just too scared to and I realized the reasons why.

Why I Was Scared to Speak Up (and What I Did About It)

1. I let other people’s feelings matter more than mine. I held back words because I was afraid they would hurt others. But in the process, I ended up hurting myself.

I needed to understand I don’t have control of other’s reactions. I have the right to feel what I do and they have the right to feel what they do.

2. I hadn’t learned to effectively say no to requests that don’t align with my long-term priorities.

I needed to understand by saying no, I protected time like it’s the most valuable commodity in the world. Because it is. I had to be clear on my intentions and allow in what is in service to them.

3. I didn’t think my opinion matters (that much anyway).

I needed to realize I possess valuable thoughts and opinions that would add a new perspective to any conversation. Whether it’s a conversation with friends or in a meeting, I knew my thoughts mattered. My thoughts deserve to hold their space and their voice to be heard.

4. I was scared to share something personal because it’s letting my heart truly be seen and judged. I know we all have mistakes and flaws we may not be proud of. And truthfully are scared to share with others.

I learned that the power of being vulnerable is it builds bridges that strongly connect us to others (more than just on a surface level). Vulnerability opens up human experiences that others can relate to. By finally being more vulnerable, I began to spark conversations that moved me beyond a place of fear to a place of shared human experiences.

5. I was anxious to be proud of my achievements and be my own cheerleaders.

I needed to learn to be excited for myself. I’ve done the hard work and I can be proud to share the accolades that come with it with others that have supported me. By sharing what I’ve accomplished, I feel I inspire others in ways that I may not realize. I’m nurturing the positive energy that may kick start someone else in a direction that brings more light into their lives.

6. I was afraid of creating conflict. I like the status quo and don’t like to rock the boat. I was hesitant to express thoughts that might anger, frustrate, or annoy another.

I’ve come to realize that a certain amount of conflict is healthy. Tension is necessary to hold things tighter together.

7. My heart didn’t know what it wanted or what made it happy. I was unsure of life’s direction for the longest time. When your mind is in a place of uncertainty, it was hard for my heart to speak from a place of truth.

I took the time to reflect and discover what kind of life would bring me more purpose and fulfillment. Once I did, my heart discovered a strong and passionate voice to speak from.

Can you remember a time when you were scared to speak up? How did you feel and what did you do about it?