From Panic to Confidence: How Quiet Connections Helped Me Find My Voice

I wasn’t a stranger to feeling this way. The results always seemed the same, no matter the situation… barely catching a wink of sleep the night before. Anxiously thinking up every possible excuse to not go. Worrying about letting people down if I didn’t go. Forcing myself out the door by internally shouting “IT’LL BE FINE!!”. Nervously sweating upon arrival. Managing a jumbled-up mumbled “Hello” of some kind. Avoiding speaking to anyone, or freezing up, or trailing off mid-sentence (because obviously, I didn’t know what I was talking about, and the other person doesn’t care anyway). Go home, cry, and think about how useless and worthless I was.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Sound familiar at all?

You also want to attend workshops, go to class, speak up at a work meeting, or chat to that person you have a massive crush on and NOT have to deal with all the crazy panic that comes with it? Yep. I wanted that too.

I did get lucky though, and thankfully my path crossed with someone who understood how I was feeling, who got it before I even understood it myself, and who had already learned how to overcome it themselves… I met Hayley.

Did you know, that one of Quiet Connections’ first clients was me? (way before we became official, or I joined as a Director & Coach!) – that the very tools and techniques that we use with 1:1 clients today to help them speak clearly, calmly, and confidently, are the exact tools Hayley used to help herself with, and what she later introduced me to.

I never would have imagined that I would go on to start publicly speaking to 100s of people, be interviewed on radio and TV, or facilitate community groups and workshops – but most of all, I’m just relieved that I can now order a hot chocolate at a café without it feeling like I’m battling a mental hurricane.

Over time, I’ve come to realise that what I once thought were insurmountable challenges were actually steps along a journey. A journey not to become “perfect” but to embrace my quiet nature and show up in a way that feels authentic and aligned with my values. I’ve also come to appreciate how much it’s possible to grow when you have the right tools and a supportive community around you.

The truth is, we all have our own personal version of the story I’ve shared here. We all have those moments that make us question our worth, wonder if we’ll ever “fit in,” or ask ourselves if it’s even worth trying. But the fact is, you can learn to navigate these challenges, and you don’t have to do it alone.

So, here’s what I want you to know: It is possible to move from feeling overwhelmed and stuck to finding the calm within. To be able to take on those workshops, attend meetings, speak up when it matters, and even enjoy the process of simply being in the moment. And it doesn’t take some huge transformation – it takes small, consistent steps. With the right support, guidance, and patience, you can shift from fear to confidence, just like I did.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “But I’m still stuck,” I want to offer you this – it’s okay to feel that way. But also know, that you don’t have to stay stuck. Quiet Connections has helped countless individuals just like me find their voice and their confidence. And we’re here to help you too. You don’t have to do it alone.