Reply To: Exercise 7: Your Authentic Voice
Authentic Voice
Throughout the authentic voice exercise, I noticed that my day-to-day voice remained unchanged. This consistency likely stems from the fact that I was speaking about topics I am deeply familiar with and passionate about, allowing my natural flow to emerge effortlessly. The exercise felt more authentic overall, as I found it difficult to fabricate or monitor my speech, minimizing any superficial responses. Despite this authenticity, I initially harbored fears of saying something I might regret or appearing foolish, a common hesitation I experience even with close friends and family. Fortunately, these fears did not materialize during the exercise, which was a reassuring outcome and highlighted my ability to overcome apprehensions when speaking sincerely.
Engaging in this exercise left me feeling both comfortable and slightly on edge, akin to a rollercoaster ride. I trusted my own boundaries and felt generally safe, though there was an underlying anxiety about potential negative outcomes—a fear that fortunately did not come to pass. The positive response from Eugene, who was eager to hear more about the topic I spoke passionately about, reinforced the value of sharing authentically and encouraged me to continue this practice. I am motivated to incorporate more authentic speaking into my daily interactions, recognizing that it requires significant personal effort and self-trust. Moving forward, I aim to apply these experiences to enhance my communication in various aspects of my life, striving to move beyond surface-level responses and engage more deeply and genuinely with others. This approach is particularly important for me as I work on clearly stating my needs and setting boundaries both personally and professionally, ensuring that my interactions are respectful and true to who I am.