Growth is something that doesn’t always make noise. Sometimes, it sneaks up on you quietly, until one day, you look back and realize you are not who you used to be.
I used to be that girl who could barely speak up in public without stammering. My voice would shake, my words would scatter, and my thoughts? They rarely made it out. I was always shy, too unsure of myself to contribute in conversations. I avoided anything that had to do with public speaking or expressing my opinions, not because I had nothing to say, but because I didn’t believe anyone wanted to hear it.
To make matters worse, I lacked confidence, not just in my speech, but in my knowledge. I didn’t read much. I didn’t even believe I had something worth sharing. My thinking was shallow, and I constantly compared myself to others who seemed to have it all together. I would listen to people speak with so much power and clarity, and deep down, I wished I could do the same.
But growth is a journey, and I’m glad I didn’t remain stuck in that version of myself.
It all started when I made a decision to change. I didn’t want to live in silence anymore. I began reading books, articles, even short quotes that challenged my thinking and encouraged me to open my mind. I spent time alone, reflecting on who I was and who I wanted to become. I started practicing how to speak slowly, clearly, and with boldness, even if it was just in front of a mirror.
The more I learned, the more I realized knowledge is power. And the more I spoke, the more I discovered my voice had value. It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually, I started noticing the difference. I began sharing my thoughts in group discussions. I volunteered to speak where I once would have hidden. I even started encouraging others who were once like me silent and scared.
The real turning point was during an event where I had to speak in front of people I once considered “too big” for me. I was nervous, but I didn’t let that stop me. I spoke calmly, confidently, and for the first time, I saw people nodding, listening, and connecting with my words. That day, I knew I had grown.
Now, I think more clearly. I reason like someone with purpose. My mindset has shifted from self-doubt to self-belief. I don’t just talk, I think, then speak with intention. And even though I still have moments where I feel nervous, I remind myself of how far I’ve come.
Growth, to me, isn’t just about what people can see, it’s about the battles you’ve fought within. And looking back, I’ve won a lot of them.
So yes, I may have started off as a shy, stammering girl with little to say. But today, I stand as a woman who knows the power of her voice and the strength in her mind. And that, to me, is the most beautiful kind of growth.
Images are Ai generated
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