Adjusting to New Environments
It feels good to be writing about stuttering again. As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve taken some time off from blogging due to a crazy schedule change. The biggest schedule change I’ve had is starting a new job. I LOVE my new job (so…this is what it’s like to not mind going to work everyday? hah!), and I’ve had a great experience so far. I’ve been very open about my stutter with my new coworkers, so I thought it’d be nice to share just how I’ve been so open and honest about it. I also started The Professional Series during this time last year, so why not re-visit the topic again!
Taking Agency
I started my new gig as a marketing professional for a cybersecurity company in mid November. Before I started, I was subconsciously nervous because of the change in routine…but ironically, not my stutter. Even though environments where I have to introduce myself normally freak me out, I wasn’t actually thinking about it that much. I dunno why, I guess I was more focused on figuring out how the rest of my life would change. So, when the first day rolled around, I met quite a few people and everyone was super nice and introduced themselves to me. During this time, I was working with my speech therapist on techniques to feel more comfortable with my stutter in this new environment. We discussed taking agency and owning my stutter. And by that, I mean settling into a new mental state where I’m looking at this new job as a chance to “start fresh” and show a group of strangers that I’m really confident about my stutter and that I don’t shy away from communication because of it.
Working with my therapist to take agency for my stutter was probably the best thing I could have done for myself at that time. I was able to actually go out of my way to introduce myself to people I hadn’t met yet, (which I NEVER do!!!), so that was a really big milestone for me. I’ve always thought that the day I’m able to walk up to someone and introduce myself without the fear of stuttering, (even if I do), would be the day that I truly accepted myself as a person who stutters. I’m still working on that, but it feels great knowing I’m heading in the right direction.
Related: Stuttering at Work
Advertising
Another way I took agency in adjusting to this new environment was by advertising my stutter. I was quickly able to pick out a few people that I felt comfortable enough with to tell them that I stutter. I noticed the office had a laid back, collaborative vibe and that everyone talks to one another about pretty much anything. Because of this, I felt that advertising my stutter wouldn’t be completely random. I think I told two people during my first day (not including my boss who I had told earlier!) and it felt really freeing. I still struggled with showing my stutter, but I’ve come a long way compared to years past!
These actions make adjusting to new environments a lot less intimidating. Regardless of the situation, taking agency and advertising your stutter reminds you that even though you stutter, you’re a confident individual that is capable of having fun, spontaneous, and forward moving communication. (That line is also one of the main concepts of Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering!).
I hope ya’ll enjoyed reading this post. I pretty much just sat down and typed whatever thoughts came into my brain haha. Are any of you guys adjusting to new environments? Or is that something you struggle with? Let me know!
