This is great, I like this story. I started a speech program 6 months ago and started to read aloud. Anyways, I won't get into the methods but one is to insert pauses. Now when you start to insert pauses, especially reading aloud, for me atleast, it started to become habitual to pause, take a bit of a breath, then when I feel ready, to say the sentence. And this is slowly seeping into my life just as you mentioned, I care less about how long the pause is (unless it would be super super long) and I am finding it easier to say what I want to say after (atleast easier physiologically). I also feel I experience less of that instant fight or flight when I am about to stutter. Now I am hoping this will continue but stuttering is sooo complicated haha. So hopefully I can keep it up, but I am very happy to see this story from you, I can definitely relate! I also have improved my stutter but haven't fully eradicated which is an accomplishment on its own :)