commentr/StutterJune 16, 2025

Content

My stutter was pretty severe. Went to many different speech therapists, groups, etc. I got a guitar for my birthday in 6th grade. Took lessons. Played a lot. Around 9th grade I got a book on Zen Buddhism and meditation. Started meditating. Simple stuff- just focusing on my breathing and my body and the sensations. After a while I noticed my perception shift- I’d feel super big, like a giant, or small like an ant- basically, my focus was intensifying. Was getting into something like a flow state- what you experience when you’re skating or playing sports or whatever… that feeling when your brain and your body are working as one, does that make sense? Around the same time I was trying to learn to sing (I wanted to be cool and to be cool you had to be in a band). It was tough. Trying to maintain rhythm, hitting the right note, the right words- a bunch of moving parts to focus on at once. After some practice I realized I was beginning to feel that same “flow state.” A friend mentioned that they hadn’t heard me stutter in a while, and I guess I didn’t notice, but I hadn’t. And I haven’t since. Only when super flustered, but even then it’s minimal. I don’t feel that “block” any more- that feeling like words getting stuck in the pipeline from brain to tongue. I don’t really play guitar or meditate regularly anymore, but still don’t stutter. I’m 39. If you try it, let me know how it goes! I believe for me, consistency was key. I mediated and practiced guitar/singing religiously.

Themes

Causes & VariabilityCoping & AdvocacyTherapy & Professional

Subthemes

Situational VariabilityMindfulness & BreathingTherapy Experiences