We talk to be heard.
We talk to convey and connect, to direct, resolve and understand. We talk through our stories, our experiences and insights. A shared human gift. Self expression with the aim of creating connection. To pass on opinions and ideas, to offer snippets of life in the hope of aiding another.
As a young child I was encouraged to read story books, to listen to fairy tales and children’s classics. My mum and I would spend hours making up stories as we walked the dogs by the river. Creating adventures from our imagination, not realising at that age that my heroes came from within.
As I grew up, television took over. Watching other people’s lives, finding reflections of my own. Songs told tales, soap operas said what we couldn’t.
In adulthood the spaces to hear stories, to tell my own shrank. There are gaps in communities where stories are missed, unseen and unheard. Assumptions are made about our stories, expectations layered over our words. Labels attached, judgements made. These unheard stories are the glue that binds. They have the power to humanise and empathise. The power to shine a light on shared truths and to combat division.
When people feel silenced or overlooked they put their stories away, lock them up. When people feel their voices are unimportant or irrelevant they learn to stay quiet. Missing out on the truths around them and the potential of others understanding.
Connection through telling our stories benefits more than the narrator. The listener gains skills, shares purpose, holds space. The teller gains presence, a voice, compassion and recognition. This energy, the skills developed and the shared humanity inevitably spreads to the wider community, friends, colleagues, family, neighbours. The world opens up especially for those who could not access it before.
I recently told my story to a small audience, at the age of 51. For the first time I stood up and spoke my truth, my experience to friends and strangers. This taught me a lot and opened doors I didn’t expect.
I held space for myself and my listeners and they held space for me. I fought and overcame anxiety, the nerves. I learned how to pace, how to connect through words and truth. I learned to trust myself and to trust others with my stories. I felt part of something bigger, something honest and open. I felt hope. Hope for shared humanity, shared experiences, echoes of each others’ stories.
Have a voice is fundamental for self freedom and development. Uniting voices is essential in forming strong communities through shared truths and perspectives.
I picture a space where the previously voiceless can talk, safely and authentically. A comfortable environment, senses recognised and supported. Fellow storytellers sharing time and holding space. Connections formed with themselves and the community around them.
All types of stories about lives, hopes, the local area, news and views. Happy tales, sad ones, heartfelt and light fun. Relating to each other through stories and expression. Talking, writing, creating, art and prose, listening.
Empowering individuals and the community.