If asked when I was younger to describe myself in words here are some that I would have used: awkward, big, ugly, 
uncomfortable, unenthusiastic, and sensitive. I mean really… being me was…. weird. Just look. This poor girl was taller (and larger) than every person her age…even the boys. She had boobs at, like, 8. Seriously. A bra in 3rd grade – that sucks.
Fast-forward to the present. I’m 31 years old now. I’ve changed.
On the outside I’m different. More importantly though? I’m different on the inside. I’m still awkward, but not all the time. I no longer think of myself as big, or ugly. I can still get uncomfortable in situations, but I no longer dwell on it. I’m very enthusiastic about things in my life. I’m still sensitive, but this has made me aware of how my words and actions make people feel.
What was the defining moment that changed everything? Like Cinderella putting on her glass slipper, right? Not exactly. Like I said, everything hasn’t changed. That girl is still in there. But, every once in a while, something happens to make me remember that my story is worth telling. Most recently, one of my very first assignments was to create a podcast of me telling a story. My first thought? CRAP (yes, capitalized). First I have to decide what story to tell. Then I have to record it. IN. MY. OWN. VOICE. I don’t even like recording my own voicemail message because I hate the way I sound. It sounds completely different in my head, I assure you.
I did it, though. I told a story that was from my heart. That meant something to me. That revealed a very important part of my life. I practiced (and practiced some more) and then I recorded the podcast. Honestly, I expected to hate it. I just knew my voice would sound nasal and crackly. But, I pushed play. And what I heard was… different. I have spoken in public before. I usually get very good feedback from it and that always surprised me. How can they think I am good when I know how I sound? Now I understood. When I have a story to tell, I am all the positive things inside me. I am so focused on my story I forget about my awkwardness. I forget about being uncomfortable. I remember that I am enthusiastic. I remember that I am sensitive. I had a story to tell. And I told it well. That makes me feel like this: 
A Student of the Digital Age 
Storytelling really does give a certain confidence to the storyteller! I think sometimes we feel that our story isn’t interesting enough or no one wants to hear it. But when we do share it we discover that some people really are interested in what we have to say! It gives us a little validation of who we are! Telling a story, especially a personal one takes courage! So I completely understand you when you say that you feel good after telling yours!
I’m consistently amazed that we’re all in 646 because of our interest in stories, yet most of us seem formerly paralyzed by the recorded sound of our voices. I’m finding what many of us are; that the assignments are pushing me to own and hone my distinct “voice,” rather than shrink from it.
If these first two weeks are this empowering, I wonder what we’ll be like at the end of June?! So glad we’re on this journey together.
This is a fabulous post, Brooke! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts about listening to your own voice. I had the exact same experience!
For someone who told me that she didn’t think she had a ‘story about storytelling’ to tell about herself, yours was a ‘story worth telling.’ More feedback in my assignment comments . . .
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