Things I’ve learned from losing my voice for a week:
1. We waste a lot of time talking about nothing. When you are reduced to not having the ability to communicate verbally, it forces you to take stock of what you are saying, how it is relevant or important and how it affects the people around you. I realize, in my role as a mother, I find myself barking commands at the kids to do this or do that instead of engaging them in meaningful and gentler conversations about what they are doing and how they are feeling. Losing my ability to just say what I want, when I want and whoever I want, has made me appreciate the quality of my words and not just the quantity or volume. Let’s also re-examine complaining, swearing and gossiping while we’re at it.
2. Communication requires your full attention. When one cannot speak, just getting someone’s attention from across the room is difficult. And when u do have their attention, you have to engage in creative and interactive facial and body sign language to get them to understand what you are trying to say. They lean in closer, they look at you with concentration and interest in what you are trying to say. They give you their full attention. And that feels good. So... moving forward, more looking at people’s faces when they speak, instead of down at our phones.
3. When you whisper, every one else whispers. This was a really interesting discovery. And it shows just how your energy and mood affects those around you. We decided to have a family game night one of the evenings where I could only whisper and it turned out for the entire night, we all whispered to each other, even the kids! So a great reminder for those crazy meltdown school run mornings where it seems like everyone is in a screaming contest, maybe, just maybe, it’s because we are all fueling each other’s energies. When you take away the volume and noise, calm and quiet becomes the tone of the day and it is quite lovely.
So my main takeaway is this: your voice is a precious gift. Don’t take it for granted. Don’t waste it on unnecessary or hurtful talk. Be aware of its power and potential. Use it with care and with purpose. ❤️ #lessonlearned #novoice
