commentr/StutterApril 19, 2023

Content

Don't compare yourself to others. You do so in the most unfair possible way. You're comparing them at a surface level, with yourself on a very intimate level. Of course your fears, anxieties, and stresses are going to compare unfavorably to somebody else's outward appearance. And despite your disadvantage of having to work through stuttering, you got up in front of the class and gave a presentation. How many of your classmates would be able to do that if they had to carry the burden of a stutter? It isn't easy living with the stutter, especially as a young person. Instead of beating yourself up, you need to give yourself the credit you are due for the work and effort you put forth. You don't stutter by choice, Your stutter isn't a result of some mistake that you've made. It's not a consequence of a misstep. There is no shame to bear. If you listen to nothing else I say, hear this. No one is as focused on your stutter as you are. When you get to school tomorrow your classmates are not going to be focused on the fact that you had trouble with your presentation today. You're always going to have one or two classmates that are inconsiderate jerks, but given the chance most people are decent. Be decent to yourself. You've earned that respect. You get up in front of the class with a stutter.

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceEmotional ExperienceIdentity & Disability

Subthemes

Avoidance & SubstitutionShame & EmbarrassmentAnxiety & Social JudgmentIdentity & Self-PerceptionAcceptance & Pride