commentr/StutterJuly 9, 2019

Content

In my early 20's I took a job at an audio conference center as an operator. Back in ninteen-dickety-two, there were actual audio conference centers and operators would lead calls, introduce new participants, and even moderate calls. My older brother worked there so I knew what the job entailed and I made the conscious choice to work there vs something more reclusive. Let me just say that you are doing the right thing. Between that job and some meditation/relaxation therapy, my stutter got much better. It didn't happen over night though and I know I sounded dumb a lot. In some cases, I even went silent on the phone which lead to some confusion with the participants. Ultimately, I'd get through though. You are making an omelette right now and you are going to break some eggs. You aren't going to be able to do a back-flip without practicing and you may fall on your head a few times. Focus on your breathing. When you are laying in bed at night trying to fall asleep, clear your mind, and breathe slowly and steadily 5 in and 5 out. Sometimes when I was extra anxious, I'd imagine dolphins rising and diving with my breath. It just helped keep the focus. You are probably going to stutter still. However, in a relaxed state you will hopefully stutter less. Now, when speaking, it helped me in some cases to memorize my lines. Reciting off paper or from memory has always been easier for me. If that isn't possible, become an expert on your topic. We just want to reduce the number of stress points and raise confidence points. You know what you are going to say, you are very intelligent on your topic, you are breathing steadily. Another tactic I did was to alter my voice on the phone. When I talk normally, I'm an average male voice. When I was on the phone, I was a baritone in a kind of radio voice. I think it had a similar effect as some actors or musicians who don't stutter when they are performing. In my mind, I was kind of performing, so my mind relaxed and my stutter button let off. You have to practice, so yes, you are doing the right thing. It is never going to get better if you don't try. Hang in there!

Themes

Coping & AdvocacyCauses & Variability

Subthemes

Fluency TechniquesMindfulness & BreathingRoles & Performance

Codes (1)

telephone_video