Exposing your Voice

Why do some feel hesitant and uncomfortable with speaking in a public form? Is it simply the idea of feeling vulnerable? The uncertainty of the response? Exposing your raw emotions, thoughts, ideas, and way of thinking. Consenting to have people respond whether you’d like them to or not. But why must it be a negative thing? Why the heavy weight in hearing responses back? I remember in school, critiques were dreaded by most of my classmates but I enjoyed them. Yes, those emotions and ideas of the unknown response and feeling vulnerable were true to me too but what about the positives that could come out of it? Hearing a different interpretation, being enlightened and pushed in a new direction that could trigger a powerful change. Or, encouragement to continue in the same direction. 

Yes, feedback might not always be positive but when responses are formulated in a mindful manner there is room for discussion and even debate. Responses don’t alway need to be (or should be) taken to the heart. You also don’t have to agree with the response; I do however encourage continuing the conversation either way. 

Side note—No matter what, dialog should always remain respectful regardless of point of view. Agitating, mean-spirited or simply unkind responses are a quick way to end further discussion and simply aren’t productive. Respect makes for a welcoming environment where people are more likely to share.

Even though I make the conscious decision to expose my work publicly, I still have to push myself to do so. There have been many times I have chosen, consciously or unconsciously, not put my work out there for the world to see. Too many photos to count. And when I don’t? Guilt. An uneasy feeling of not sharing something that I wanted to. Because I think “what if?” What if that something could have been that one thing that triggered a powerful change inside of me? Or more importantly, in someone else. Don’t forget, our actions and words can have an effect on someone else.  

My insecurities when releasing my work into the public word? Sounding naive and unintellectual.  Does what I have to say matter or is anyone actually seeing my work? What helps me do it anyways? Taking a deep breath and repeating, “just do it, because what if.”

What are your insecurities when it comes to exposing your thoughts, ideas, and work into the world? Why?