commentr/StutterNovember 11, 2020

Content

Oh, I totally do not make eye contact when I talk to people. I can usually get as far as looking in their direction or looking at their forehead, but I look down a LOT. I don't know how much of it is my stutter or just not being comfortable letting people make eye contact with me (which is weird because I think the vulnerability of disclosing my stutter has made people trust me more and has encouraged so many conversations to delve deeper than perfunctory small talk, and I am so grateful for those opportunities to make a deeper connection). I DO know that it makes talking so much easier, though. I feel like worrying too obsessively about making too much/too intense eye contact throws me off and gets me all out of sorts. And I definitely walk around when I'm talking, especially on the phone. It helps me a ton!

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceEmotional ExperienceIdentity & Disability

Subthemes

Avoidance & SubstitutionHiding & ConcealmentOverthinking & MonitoringAnxiety & Social JudgmentAuthenticity vs. Masking

Codes (2)

socializing_one_on_oneperceived_judgment