I have a confession...

Hey Verbalizer,

So…I tripped during my run the other day.

I was bruised and felt sorry for myself.

Once I realised that I was intact, I kept moving.

I wasn’t going to let that fall win!

And then something interesting happened.

The next time I went running, I noticed my eyes fixed downward, scanning every crack in the pavement, every possible obstacle that could make me fall again.

The crazy thing though was this..

I realised that the more I focused on not falling, the more likely it was that I would trip.

Because when your eyes are fixed on the ground, searching for every potential mistake, you lose sight of where you're actually going.

And it struck me - this is exactly what happens with our voice.

Can you recall how a past moment of being dismissed, interrupted, or misunderstood can make your throat tighten in every meeting after?

How that one time someone talked over you...

That presentation that didn't land...

That question you wished you'd answered differently...

Can make you hypervigilant about every word, every tone, every possible misstep?

When we're so focused on preventing mistakes.

When our nervous system is scanning for every potential threat.

When we're replaying past stumbles instead of being present.

That's exactly when our voice constricts.

That's precisely when our clarity disappears.

That's exactly when we're most likely to freeze.

The very thing that we are seeking to avoid!

Know that if you've been holding your breath and scanning for safety before you speak, you're not alone.

So let’s go back to this truth that I keep going on an on about!

Your voice doesn't need perfect conditions to rise.

It simply needs permission to be present.

Because your voice like your stride, already knows its rhythm.

So let’s go!

Love, Laughter, & Light,

‘Ronke