Find Your Own Voice, Everywhere

Opportunities to find and express your own voice show up everywhere! This Paul Klee print is giving me the chance to take a stand for mine.

I’ve had this picture tucked away for years. I adore it. It’s been through at least one, if not two, moves. It’s been wrapped in plastic, neglected, bent and waiting for attention for years. This weekend Justin and I took it to a framing store to see if it could be saved and framed.

Imagine my surprise when this outing turned into an aesthetic landmine, one that tested my inner navigation system and provided an opportunity to take a stand for my own taste and to express my own voice. And here I was thinking it was just about getting a picture framed!

The framing specialist began by pulling out some big, bold, rustic, wooden frames that made total sense with the print but were worlds away from my personal taste. We tried different sizes, different shapes, different shades. She shared her expertise, explaining the value of this curve, the impact of that depth. All of which were meant to be helpful and all of which stirred up doubt in my own voice.

I shored up my courage and shared my thoughts – that I’d like to see something lighter, perhaps more feminine, something that picks up the delicate light images as opposed to the rich, organic background, maybe even something with sheen.

From her reaction, clearly I just wasn’t getting it!

And in that moment of suspended self-confidence, Justin walked over to some antiqued, silvery-greenish frames and said, “I think this is the kind of thing Jamie’s talking about.”

Growing strength and confidence in your own voice is an ongoing journey, especially as we reach and stretch into new areas. Notice when you feel strong in your self and when less so. Where are you? What’s present? Who’s present? You may feel strong at work but tentative with your partner. You may feel confident with cooking but not with writing. I feel confident in my own taste but in this situation I realized I still get unsettled when dealing with someone I deem to be an expert/authority, especially when it comes to “art”. Interesting growth opportunity there!

The most important first step to feeling confident in your own voice is to know your self. In your own safe space, explore your tastes, write your words, journal your opinions. The stronger you know your own values, preferences, stands, loves and desires, the easier it will be for you to express them and to stay strong in them when faced with challenging situations and differing opinions. As you get clearer and clearer, you’ll feel stronger and stronger. You’ll gain confidence in your own voice.

And in the meantime, bring a friend for support!

Tagged as: confidence, finding your voice

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