How Speaking My Mind Changed My Life

I was always taught to be polite and treat others with respect; all of which I think are great characteristics, but I wasn't always assured that speaking my mind was something I should always do. We're told that we have to be careful about what we say, who we say it around and whom we say it to. Words are powerful.

The older I've gotten, the more I've realized how important it is to voice thoughts, feelings and opinions. People say to hold in what's making you upset, or to remain quiet so you don't make others angry, but how is any of that beneficial? It's not.

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Over the past few years, I stopped remaining silent. I stopped being that person who nodded in agreement, or remained silent when I should have voiced my mind. By not speaking our opinions, we're not going to get anywhere or make ourselves any happier.

If you never truly say what you're thinking, no one will ever be able to accurately gauge you. It will be hard to figure out what you actual want, like, love, have interest in. Of course there is always a time and a place, I understand that, but don't hide who you are from the world, in general.

I've found that the more honest and open I've been about things, the more comfortable people are talking to me. For a while, I was a bit taken aback by my new interactions with people. People suddenly seemed to have an easier time approaching me, and having more in-depth conversations, and why?  I was an open-book. People now knew exactly what I liked, what I wouldn't put up with, and what I disliked.

It was easier to gauge how approachable I was because I had made it known, and people like knowing what they're dealing with.

Not only this, but I've felt more confident about myself in the past few years than ever before. By speaking my mind and finding that others were receptive to that, I've felt so good about myself. There's nothing bottled up, so there's very little room for anger or sadness because I just let it all out as it comes. 

When I'm mad, I confront whom I need to. When I'm sad, I let myself openly be sad. When I'm jealous, I let myself be jealous. When you let yourself acknowledge and act on those feelings, the sooner they pass and you can move on. 

I've had more valuable, raw conversations and connections with people in the past two years than in the past twenty because there's no fake small-talk. We need to just be real with each other. I know this sounds a bit cliche, but it's so true. If you're fully being who you are, people respond well to this and want to engage because it's honestly hard to find.

Most people you meet spend much of your interaction asking the standard, generic questions that we hear over and over again. I've found it better to just jump right into this and ask about their family, friends, and their dreams.

Not only does it make me seem genuinely interested, it's honest and real. These conversations are about things of actual importance, and can give room for a real friendship to form. Sure, not every person you meet or have a conversation with is going to turn into something amazing, but at least it can be seen as time well spent.

When you're open and asking honest questions, you're going to learn something about a person and possibly come away with a new perspective.

When you begin speaking your mind; your true and honest beliefs about life, you're opening the door to establish potentially deep connections with other human beings. Maybe these connections are only for a minute, or maybe for a year. Regardless, the connection is so worth your time. It reminds us that we're all the same and can really find common ground with anyone if we just allow ourselves to be vulnerable for a moment. 

This mindset has truly made me a happier person. Do not let yourself be silenced, or miss out solving an issue, making a new friend or falling in love. You have a mind and a voice. Your voice not only needs to be heard, it deserves to be heard.