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Creating a More Inclusive, Quiet-Friendly World: The Vision of Quiet Connections

In a world that often equates loudness with success, those of us who are naturally quiet can feel out of place, undervalued, and misunderstood. But what if our quietness was not just acceptable, but celebrated? What if the world recognised the strength, insight, and empathy that quiet people bring to the table? This is the vision of Quiet Connections—a world where quietness is embraced as a vital part of a diverse and inclusive society.

How Quiet Connections Began: A Journey from Painfully Shy to Proudly Quiet

The story of Quiet Connections is deeply personal. I have always been quiet. As a child, I was often described as ‘painfully shy’—a label that stung, and felt so accurate. Social situations filled me with anxiety, and I spent much of my life feeling like there was something wrong with me. I avoided opportunities, held back from participating in life fully, and constantly worried that I wouldn’t have a place in society.

But, through self-study and with the guidance of supportive coaches, I began to understand that quietness is not a flaw but a strength. I learned how to manage anxious feelings and work with my quiet temperament rather than against it. This journey of self-discovery led me to study the experiences of quiet people more deeply, driven by a desire to help others who faced the same challenges.

For over a decade, I thought someone should do something, but there remained a gap in support for quieter people. And so, as I qualified as a coach, Quiet Connections was born. From the very beginning, the mission has been clear: to create a world where quiet people are valued, understood, and included. 

Our Mission and Values: Changing the World with and for Quiet People

Our mission is ambitious yet essential: to change the world with and for quiet people. We believe that everyone deserves to feel seen and heard—but that doesn’t mean we should have to shout to be noticed. Society often pushes us to stretch beyond our comfort zones, urging us to be louder, more extraverted, more ‘outgoing.’ But we know that quietness is not a flaw. We are good enough exactly as we are.

So, at Quiet Connections, we advocate for a world where quietness is respected and where quieter people have equal opportunities to succeed. As a community, we are starting important conversations in workplaces, education, and communities about the need to recognise and accommodate quieter voices. Our goal is to educate others on the value that quiet people bring and to create environments where we can all thrive, not just the loudest among us.

What we value

Making Meaningful Connections: We believe that connecting quiet people is essential to building a community of understanding, togetherness, and belonging. Through these connections, we can all gain the confidence to accept ourselves and live more fulfilling lives.

Advocating for Change: Our advocacy work is focused on increasing inclusion, fairness, and equality for quiet people in society. By raising awareness and creating opportunities, we aim to inspire wider societal change.

Openness and Inclusivity: We’re not a traditional support group; we are a safe, inclusive space where quiet people can be vulnerable, share their true selves, and meet others who understand their experiences.

Creating Space: We create calm environments for quiet people to connect and grow at their own pace. We also ensure that our quiet voices are heard and our perspectives understood, both in our Meet Ups and in society at large.

Celebrating Quietness: Quietness and sensitivity are strengths. We want to help quiet people recognise this, celebrating their unique qualities and empowering them to flourish as their true selves.

The Vision: A More Inclusive, Quiet-Friendly, World

Our vision is a world where quiet people are not just included but are actively valued for their unique strengths. We want to create a society where being quiet is seen as a valid way of being, where quiet voices are respected, and where the diversity of temperament is celebrated.

We believe that by creating spaces where quiet people can connect, grow, and thrive, we can begin to shift societal perceptions. By advocating for change and raising awareness about the value of quietness, we aim to inspire others to see the importance of inclusivity in all aspects of life.

Join Us in Creating Positive Change

The journey to creating a quieter, more inclusive world is a collective one, and we’re glad you’re here with us. Whether you’re a fellow Quieteer or an ally who believes in our mission, your involvement matters. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change—not just for ourselves but for future generations of quiet people.

Let’s work together to make sure that quiet voices are heard, valued, and celebrated. Join us in advocating for a world where everyone, regardless of their temperament, has the opportunity to flourish. 

We’re holding a focus group on Wednesday 18th September 2024, in Redruth Cornwall, and if you’d like to come along, you can sign up here. Or send us a message if you’d like to contribute in a different way. Together, we can create a more inclusive, quiet-friendly world.

Author

  • Hi, I’m Hayley - the original quieteer. I, too, identify as a quiet person. I’m naturally a highly sensitive introvert and I love and appreciate my quiet strengths now, but I spent much of my life not feeling good enough and experiencing social anxiety. I missed so many opportunities because I was afraid of being judged harshly, criticised and rejected – and because I doubted that I had the ‘right’ personality to succeed. Quiet Connections exists in part because I had a fantastic coach who helped me to work through old patterns of keeping myself small and hidden so that I could show up and be seen to play my part in creating the more connected, curious and compassionate world that I dream of. Now, I’m passionate about helping quiet people discover their unique qualities, gifts, passions and experiences and explore how best to use these to express themselves more authentically and contribute to the world in a way that works with their quieter or more sensitive nature. Get to know me here.

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