commentr/StutterFebruary 8, 2019

Content

I'm going through the same thing, We grow and we become comfortable in our "home" with people that know you so well, they don't judge you, they know the way you are what how you are- and they accept it. Being taken away from that, and trying to form a life somewhere new and different, and starting from scratch to establish this "safe zone" is not an easy task. I moved away from home nearly three years ago, and up to last month it was only getting harder and harder by the day, presentations, meeting people in bars / clubs (imagine someone asking your name in a club and you can barely utter it), it got me claustrophobic to a certain extent, anti-social for sure, even though I'm a person that has never ever allowed my stutter to get in the way, we basically became best buddies through school and everything, but now it was really getting to me. Anyways, I began doing some research, what to do that does not involve me going to a speech therapist (nothing against them, just never worked for me) what can I do, basically. I came along mindfulness meditation, I always knew about meditation, practiced it here and there- was never really a 100% dedicated with the process- but trust me, this one really made a difference! Research about it, and download a couple of apps and give it a try- its a breathing technique that you can do, basically while you're doing anything (walking, showering, doing the dishes, before bed, in the morning), whatever it is, its a breathing technique that you start implementing in your life, and it keeps you calm, it removes the thoughts of "i'm stuttering, they can see me stuttering, why are they looking at me this way, why am i stuttering ?this is new? until you're suddenly completely out of breath. It makes you concentrate on being here, now and present. ​ Out of experience, out of really heart-felt experience, we just need to relax. We need to take a step back and stop being so hard on ourselves and basically just say its okay, its fine, this is who i am, i will be heard, my stutter does not stop me, and my body needs to calm down- my thoughts need to calm down, and when you do that you will be in tranquility which will make you stutter less. Its really not easy, and it gets to me especially being away from home, but its a change of life-style! ​ Sending you positive vibes and happy thoughts :)

Themes

Coping & AdvocacyIdentity & Disability

Subthemes

Mindfulness & BreathingAcceptance & Pride