When I was younger, screaming and shouting was a must. On the playground, shouting out answers in class, and even just at home, even when I was supposed to use my "inside voice." I loved to scream and sing in the shower and just use my voice for many different things. Of course speaking is an every day thing for most people, but I talked a lot for absolutely no apparent reason.

It wasn’t until I got to sixth grade that I realized I was scared to use my voice around people. People were different at middle school and much meaner, so the things that I said had to come with a filter because people got easily offended by most of the things that were said. I was afraid to speak because I wasn’t comfortable in the zone that I was in, but I hated not being able to state my opinion or answer questions in class even when I knew that I had the right answer. Not being comfortable in the place that I was at had such a big impact on me sharing with other people, and it began to impact my daily life as well.

Fear of being judged is a common fear of a lot of people. Some people understand the consequences of not being able to talk and share their opinions in fear of not being respected and that’s very understandable. People in this world are very rude, not understanding and kind of disrespectful when people say anything that they remotely don’t agree with. But your opinion and your voice is what makes you who you are and that is unique. To go through the world and not comment or have an opinion about some things isn’t at all how you should live your life. Also, you shouldn’t live your life based on what people think of you.

Maggie Kuhn has a quote that says, “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.” A lot of people have changed the word mind to truth, but either of them can go. What you believe as truth and what is in your mind must be important to you. A lot of people will tell you that your opinion is wrong and that it’s not right to think what you think or how you think, but that’s up to you. Sure, we think hurtful and judgmental things about a lot of people and things each day, but that’s just the mindset some people have.

I’m not saying that you should go around and comment every rude thing about someone that you can. My point is: speak your mind and speak the truth. This world will make it so hard to have a voice, but no matter the bad feedback that you may get back, don’t ever change your voice for anyone. Everyone’s opinion matters no matter if it differs from someone else. Just because you and your friend have a difference of opinion doesn’t mean that they’ll love you less, it just means that they want to understand where you’re coming from.

Having a voice, especially now, is important and knowing where you stand with your difference of opinions and such things is also important. Never let someone steal your voice.