Breaking the Silence
Have you ever been in a situation where someone said something rude or inconsiderate to you, caught you off guard, and you froze? Then, 30 minutes or so later, the perfect comeback finally hit you—but it was too late. I know that feeling all too well. For years, I struggled with finding my voice in moments that mattered most. I let my fear of confrontation, fear of making others uncomfortable, and fear of judgment silence me. I told myself that staying quiet was easier, but deep down, I felt powerless.
The journey to finding my voice wasn’t easy. It took years of self-reflection, breaking free from verbal, emotional and physical mistreatment, and learning to honor my own feelings. I had to remind myself that speaking up wasn’t about being aggressive or contrary—it was about standing in my truth with confidence, without anger, but with firm resolve. I was done hiding behind fear.
A Life-Changing Moment
One of the most powerful moments of my life happened unexpectedly—on one of my very first “real” vacations and well past my 50’s. I was single, free, and ready to embrace life. But what I didn’t expect was coming face to face with a nightmare from my past—my childhood perpetrator was in the same exact place as me. The shock hit me like a gut punch. The fear, the disgust, the memories I had tried to bury—they all came rushing back.
For years, I avoided this confrontation. I never spoke of it, not even to my family. He knew, I knew, but no one else did. And so, he continued to exist in my world as if nothing had ever happened. But that was about to change.
Taking My Power Back
The very next morning, after agonizing and praying through the night, I woke up with a renewed sense of determination. I had prayed for the strength to confront him. I had prayed for the opportunity. And on that very next morning, it came. As I sat on the deck after my workout, enjoying my fresh ginger and turmeric juice, I saw him—alone. My heart pounded. This was it. The moment I had asked for. The moment I had dreaded. Would I do it? Could I do it? Every part of me screamed to walk away, to pretend I didn’t see him, to let the moment slip by. But I had come too far for that.
Step by step, I walked toward him, each footfall feeling impossibly heavy. Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself forward, feeling like a giant stomping through my own fears. This was my chance to reclaim my voice.
I finally reached him and told him I had something serious to say. And then, for the first time in my life, I spoke my truth to him.
I reminded him that he was only 14 at the time, but what he did left scars on my life. I told him how his actions—his inappropriate touch, his unwanted advances—affected me. His response? Cold and dismissive. “Well, what do you want me to do about it?” he asked.
I wasn’t there for an apology—I was there to take my power back. And I did. I told him exactly what he needed to hear. Then I got up and walked away.
For the rest of the time, he couldn’t look me in the eye. He avoided me. And for the first time in 40 years, I had the power. I was no longer the one avoiding him. It was a freedom I had never known before, a weight lifted off my soul.
Becoming My Own Warrior
That night, as I watched The Woman King for the first time, a torrent of emotions surged within me, threatening to erupt like a volcano. Surrounded by others, I fought to contain this inner upheaval, but the intensity was overwhelming. Slow, salty tears began to stream down my cheeks, each drop laden with profound purpose. Viola Davis’ portrayal resonated deeply, reflecting my own journey. I realized I was no longer fleeing from my past; I had confronted it head-on. In that moment, I recognized that I had become my own warrior.
Finding your voice isn’t about being loud or confrontational. It’s about standing in your truth, unapologetically. It’s about breaking free from the fear that has silenced you for too long. See a powerful clip The Woman King (2022) – Crowning The Woman King Scene | by Movieclips on youtube. https://youtu.be/vmdpShByRoU?si=YBJIYNCc96xUF9R4&t=13
Your Voice Matters
If you’ve ever struggled to speak up for yourself, know this: You are stronger than you think. You don’t need permission to own your voice. The power is already within you.
I’ll share the steps I took to finally break free and reclaim my voice. Until then, know that your story matters. Your voice matters. And when the time comes, I hope you’ll find the strength to use it. Download Free Guide Here
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Remember, You’ve Got This! Michele
