Although you can see the title now, it hadn’t arrived yet as I was writing this piece. So I decided to trust the feels and write anyway. Sure enough, an honest hour later, it did!
Have you ever been taught by a teacher with a shakey voice? What a bizarre question right? And if your answer is NO, then I tell you, I am one!
I have taught hundreds, even thousands of students in the areas of community services and youth work for the best part of 10 years. Kind, caring, compassionate, empathic students and each time I teach them, at the start of our class…my voice shakes.
If you could see my face right now, my cheeks are blushing!
But why would I start a blog piece with no title and tell you all about my skill of teaching with a shakey voice? Reason being is, there is always a simple reason for this shakey voice. Always.
For me, it’s often because I’m an introvert and care a lot (maybe too much) about being a meaningful teacher and providing a safe and fun learning space with my students!
So here’s my shakey voice trick….I name it.
I normalise the shakey voice by naming it to my students and myself, not hiding from the cheeky elephant in the classroom. I just name it and have an honest upfront laugh with them about it.
And, you know what happens after that? It literally dissolves like a bubble floating through the air. POP… it’s gone.
So where am I going with this?
Recently I was on the receiving end of hearing the bravery of another’s shakey voice.
I had a colleague call me and start an honest conversation. Her voice was slightly shakey, she was finding her words as she was saying them and she needed to get something off her chest. I sat on my couch with Marvellous Monty- my Wednesday dog sitting pooch and held space while she did. She shared honestly, from her heart about something that was upsetting her and ways in which she felt I had contributed to it.
It was brave. It was honest. it was beautiful and simple. And as she spoke her truth, gently, her voice began to strengthen and her words easier to locate. We had a very honest hour chit chat that left us both feeling clearer and more at ease in our work moving forward.
Sitting behind most shakey voices, achey pains or unsettled feelings- is something that may need to be expressed on an emotional level. Giving air time to your truth, can be the catalyst for some of the greatest leaps forward in your life and wellbeing.
Whether that’s writing it out, voice recording it on a phone memo, saying it out loud in the shower or speaking face to face with another. I can guarantee you, you will feel lighter, free’er and more trusting of yourself by letting your voice and heart be heard!
Just as my colleague reminded me, there’s bravery in speaking up and it really can be done with right timing and respect- for self and others. Plus a good giggly chat about farmer wants a wife afterwards.
So what do we call this piece huh?
How about…. Honesty Hour!
If there’s something you need to say, find your shakey brave voice (this might take a little time to muster) and go for it- fortune favours the BRAVE!
In my Soul Venture sessions, bravery seems to find its way with a smile onto the zoom screen. if you’re ready to have an honest hour and a half chat with me, name it and reach out. I’d be honoured to support you.
With Luca Love x
SimBLISSity 