Here are 5 Tips to help you find your voice:

1. Learn to communicate effectively to other people. Articulate your message so that it is clear and easily understood by the receiver. If your message is unclear or confusing, do your best to rephrase it another way so the recipient can understand it. It takes one person to give a message and another person to receive the message clearly.  

2. Speak up. Don’t fall silent. State your opinions honestly and don’t automatically agree with people to appease them. This one is challenging because some people have strong personalities, and you might feel intimidated by them. That’s okay because practice makes perfect. You are entitled to your own opinion, which is your opinion, so practice learning to standing firm on that. 

3. Learn to ask for what you want or don’t want. Other people are not mind readers and might not know what you need or want. If you practice speaking what you want in words out loud to another person, you are much more likely to get it. If you are clear about what you want, it takes the guesswork out for the other person. 

4. Start leaving reviews about your experiences with restaurants and stores. I have discovered that Google ratings, Amazon reviews, Yelp, and other feedback tools are a great way to reinforce a positive experience, and also to share feedback if your expectations were not met. That way, your disappointment gets to be expressed and you don’t end up holding negative energy within your body. 

5. Vote. Your voice is reflected in your political vote. Your chosen representatives make the laws in the area where you live.  Every vote counts and it’s up to you to express yourself by voting. You don’t solely vote with a ballot. As a consumer, you vote by supporting companies and shopping at stores. You vote by supporting them with your dollar, or boycotting them if they do not support your values. 

Thank you Neutrin05’s Longing for this podcast soundtrack