This is one of the most relatable aspects of stuttering, the seemingly random variability and the frustration that comes with that. I certainly notice an increase in my stuttering frequency when I’m stressed or lacking sleep, but sometimes I’ll stutter a ton even when I’m feeling great. This might not be what you want to hear, but accepting this reality and acknowledging this is how I have to talk kinda helped my anxiety and general mental health. I don’t view stuttering as a bad thing (sometimes it’s hard not to), but instead as a DIFFERENT thing. Some people who don’t stutter at all have interesting ways of talking or are really really bad at communicating. Everyone has their quirks and weaknesses. They might not have to deal with all the stigma and the constant exhaustion of stuttering, but it is similar in a way. Avoidance Reduction Therapy is my favorite therapy model. It focuses on building comfort and confidence in your communication, eliminating the fear and anxiety, rather than focusing on eliminating your stutter. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I had to accept the fact that I might stutter for the rest of my life (I’m 23). So if that’s the case, why not try to make talking a more enjoyable and comfy experience instead of constantly battling against myself. Also, my real frustration with stuttering isn’t the sound of stuttering or the stigma, it’s that visceral moment of struggle when I’m caught in a loop or block. I found out that you can work on that moment of struggle; you might still stutter, but without that struggle feeling.