How to Better Overcome the Fear of Speaking Out

Building Confidence and Authentic Self-Expression

There is a fear of expressing our thoughts.

It’s real.

Some people take pride in speaking their minds.

I’ve noticed that it’s often just an excuse to insult, show disdain, or display superiority.

The fear of expressing our thoughts can stem from childhood experiences.

Negative reactions from parents, teachers, peers, and friends made us afraid of upsetting or annoying others.

We feared being excluded or punished for upsetting someone, perhaps an adult or someone in a position of power.

This fear often leads to self-betrayal and the inhibition of self-expression.

Some examples of negative reactions include:

• Parents telling their children to “mind their own business and keep quiet to avoid embarrassment.”
• Teachers assert their authority by saying, “You can have an opinion when you become a teacher. For now, do as I say.”
• Peers and friends ridicule or mock those who openly express their opinions.

Self-betrayal begins when you don’t express your thoughts and feelings out of fear of upsetting others (being excluded…