commentr/StutterJanuary 30, 2014

Content

There are no tips, mate. There is nothing anyone can tell you that will help in any sort of beneficial manner. Breathing techniques, speak slowly, blah blah blah, all that bullshit does not work - at least hasn't for me. Sure it works in a relaxed environment but when you are public speaking, your brain will panic and throw all the theories and practices out the window. You will shutter no matter what, man. I am not being defeatist. I am only speaking from experience. I will probably get a lot of hate for this but well, this is what usually happens with me. However, when I was 16 I wish someone told me this: "It does not matter if you stutter, it does not matter how you finish your sentences. It does not matter who is listening to you. Those who laugh at you are assholes. To give any single fucks about them or your stuttering is wasting your own time and ruining your day." I am 28 now. I give less shit about my stuttering than I did when I was young. I realized that this limitations will probably stick with me for the whole of my life. Either I cower in fear or just say fuck it and just face it. I am slowly coming out of this paralyzing fear of speaking and have begun to socialize a bit, can read out in public (in an informal setting), and can order food or talk on the phone. Of course, I am still petrified of speaking, especially in a public setting, but I am improving. I still stutter, but I noticed that if I don't give a fuck about it, people stop giving fucks about it as well. This in-turn boosts my confidence and allows me to speak more fluently. My line of work requires me to speak with people from time to time and I have no choice but to do so. So that helps too. So yeah, only tip: fuck everything else and read.

Themes

Identity & DisabilityEmotional Experience

Subthemes

Identity & Self-PerceptionAcceptance & PrideFrustration & Anger