I can't help having a low voice. That's the way I am. Here are the struggles anyone with low voices knows to be true.

1. Whispering is impossible.

Whispering isn't a thing for me. I can't do it. I can talk softly. I can breathe heavily. I can even move my lips and not say anything. But I can't whisper at a volume that's suitable to your liking.

2. People think you're angry when you raise your voice even slightly.

Quit telling me I'm angry or in a bad mood just because I have to talk a little louder than most people. You'll know when I'm actually angry; I'll tell you, "hey, I'm really angry." Don't judge my emotional state just because my speaking loudly is compensating for your bad hearing.

3. You can forget old people hearing you.

I'm confused as to why senior citizens have a harder time hearing me more than other people. Don't old people have trouble detecting high pitched tones? I would love for someone to explain this phenomenon to me.

4. You get mistaken for being sick.

I know my voice can sound croaky or that I've been a smoker for 50 years but maybe it's the morning. Maybe I'm tired. Maybe I'm in a monotone-like mood. But I'm not that guy who does the over the top epic voice for those action trailers that begin with "In a world..."

5. Voice cracks.

People laugh at you. But I laugh too, so this isn't the worst. I can surprise/scare myself sometimes when my voice cracks out of nowhere and I turn into a broken record for a hot second.

6. Singing.

Shout out to all the ladies and high pitched males who can hit an F sharp in three octaves. Unfortunately, this is known as "dreaming" for people with low voices. We can't hit the second doe in doe-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-DOE. It strains your voice. Let's keep my karaoke songs low. Sorry we don't all have a voice like Sting.

7. People are intimidated by you.

I swear this might be the most annoying one. I don't think I come off as friendly as I could because of my voice. My excitement towards meeting new people may be misinterpreted as being over-aggressive. I see other people with higher voices mingling just fine.

8. People are picky with your level of volume.

Look, there's no middle ground, okay? I'm either talking or not talking. 1% of the time I'm yelling.

Friend: "Hey, can you not talk so loud?"

Me: "Oh sorry...how's this?"

Friend: "What?"

Me: "HOW'S THIS?"

Friend: "Calm down, man."

ME: ...

Don't tell me to talk slightly louder, a little softer, semi-louder, or turn it down a notch. I literally am unable to cater to your particular volume needs.

9. People think you're a douchebag.

Not saying I'm not a douchebag. Maybe I am, but that's for you to decide. If you think I'm a douchebag don't let my voice be the determining factor, though. Why can't all low voices be sexy? It's either sexy or jerk. Can't I just be me?

10. In crowded places, you're never sure how loud you have to talk.

I've noticed that when I'm surrounded by a lot of people and I'm trying to talk to people, their reaction is either constantly asking "what?!" or leaning away from me. If I talk at what I think is a volume level they'll hear, they won't hear me at all. If I talk louder, they back off and give me a look like "dude, why are you screaming at me?"

I don't judge you for sounding like a soprano whining chipmunk. Embrace your voice and let other voices be!