commentr/StutterSeptember 3, 2021

Content

I was in your shoes when I was in high school. I gave up on trying to speak and just slipped through high school and my undergrad without uttering a word unless I had to. I had a couple really good friends and that was it. It seemed like this was the way to go, until i realized I wanted more than just a life of silence and solitude. I'm now in law school and am struggling with the social aspect because of the shortcuts I took when I was younger. I'm not saying you have to be a social butterfly at the drop of a hat, but staying isolated for too long, although a short term benefit, will only lead to long term issues. I do empathize with you in every way, but trying to overcome that fear at your age will be immensely helpful once you leave high school. Also, everyone sucks in high school lol. I only speak with 5 or 6 people i went to high school with, and I've been out of high school for 11 years. Yes, this disability sucks and we struggle with something most people will never understand, or ever come into contact with, but it doesn't mean we can't have a fulfilling life. As hard as it is to do, ignore the insults, and keep looking forward. Some of the people who bullied me growing up have gone on to do nothing with themselves, I'm sitting here in a law school library after having been told I wouldn't get into grad school. You got this.

Themes

Emotional ExperienceSocial & RelationshipsSchool & Work

Subthemes

Helplessness & AgencyLoneliness & IsolationSchool & Academic Life