It used to for like almost my whole life (I’m 27 lol). I was doing a first semester at a community college and had to enroll last minute, ended up in a public speaking class. HA I was freaking tf out, almost dropped out but decided to do it. This one class changed my life. At the beginning I was not participating much because I was shy and nervous people wouldnt like me or would make fun of me like they did in school. Or that I’d take too long to speak and they wouldn’t be patient. But then I thought of how many opportunities I lost because of my fear. How many times I wanted to lead that presentation at school because I fucking knew the theme, or that fun theater activity I choose to stay behind the scenes even tho I really wanted to try acting. It got me real sad to realize that I was robbing myself from happiness. I avoided pursuing certain things because of my fear. And SO FUCKING WHAT if someone laughs at me. Imagine how weird it would be if 1 adult laughed at another adult in a room of other adults? like how inappropriate that is? People won’t always like it, or understand it, but they will most likely at least pretend to be kind and nice so they don’t look like an asshole. And if they do, I now make it awkward for the both of us. Lol Ofc this was years of therapy (for other reasons not related to stutter) and understanding who I am and what I like or don’t like, am I shy or am I just anxious? It’s not easy, that was a little over 2 years ago and I still work on it everyday. But I’m comfortable with approaching my boss with a problem in person instead of avoiding it. I can tell long stories to my new coworkers that barely know me, and I get to be included on conversations. It depends of the social context too, I have a lot of anxiety so I have to barely that with stutter, some are a win some less of a win… but I never loose. I always gain something from it. I don’t have advice lol I won’t be here saying “be more confident!!!!” cause that just doesn’t work. It was uncomfortable but it fucking worked lmao Maybe try enroll on a class like this, or a book club where you have to share something out loud, not too long, and everybody needs to way and listen to you. It could be a great start imo