Speaking Up: A Muscle I'm Still Building

Have you ever felt that wave of nausea after sending a perfectly respectful message, only to spiral into fear that someone might be mad at you?

Yeah… me too.

In this episode, I share a moment that reminded me how deeply our childhood wiring can still influence our adult reactions—especially when it comes to using our voice. What started as a simple email exchange brought me face-to-face with my old "be a good girl" pattern, the fear of upsetting others, and the muscle I’m still learning to strengthen: speaking up.

We’re not just purely logical adults—we’re also tender systems still running on childhood algorithms. The goal isn’t to eliminate those parts of us, but to love and integrate them with compassion.

Listen to the guided meditation to connect with the younger parts of you that get triggered when you speak up and could use some love: https://media.transistor.fm/9b0d1082/5acc8ea4.mp3

If you’ve been holding back your voice or tiptoeing around your truth, this episode is for you.

✨ Listen in, then take a moment to reflect with the prompts below.
✨ You don’t have to do this alone—reach out if you’re ready for support in finding your voice.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for weekly reflections on courage, joy, and showing up as your whole self. https://leonadevinne.com/subscribe
🌀 Because the world doesn’t benefit from you swallowing your truth. It benefits from you speaking up.

JOURNAL PROMPTS TO GO DEEPER:

1. What situations or relationships tend to trigger your "stay quiet" reflex?
   Explore recent or past moments where you held back your voice. What did you feel in your body? What were you afraid might happen?
2. What is your earliest memory of being afraid to speak up?
   Reflect on childhood experiences where you learned it might not be safe or welcome to express yourself. What messages did you internalize?
3. When was the last time you used your voice, even though it felt uncomfortable?
   Celebrate that moment. What helped you speak up? What did you learn about yourself or the outcome?
4. What part of you still believes that keeping the peace means staying silent?
   Write to that part with compassion. Let it know what’s true now, and how you’re learning to hold both truth and connection.
5. What would it look like to live more fully in your truth today?
   Describe how speaking up could benefit your relationships or leadership. What small step can you take to move toward that?

🖍 Bonus prompt:
Draw or collage a version of your younger self who felt fully alive and free. Let your inner child lead the way.

#SpeakUp #FindingYourJoySpot #Leadership #SelfCompassion #InnerChildHealing #WomensVoices #HealingJourney #AuthenticLiving