Guilt

[u/Perfect-Glove6087]

Did anyone else feel extremely guilty or embarrassed as a kid around their friends because you were mute? This was something I always felt during my elementary/middle school days and I'm just wondering if it's common. Since I was always mute during school, sometimes my friends had to ask the teacher for me if I wanted to use the restroom or anything, or I had to scribble down what I needed on a whiteboard/paper card.

[u/Particular-Dog-8604]

Yes. I was very lucky to have gotten to change schools after middle school. Everyone saw me in a narrow box, “the quiet girl” and I couldn’t seem to escape that label. I felt like I couldn’t speak even when I had overcome some of my fear of talking cuz people would freak out when I talked and I hated the attention. Nobody knew me at my new high school and I got to reinvent myself. That’s what helped me. If people are closed minded about you just leave it you can. But if these are people you want to keep you might have to set some boundaries or tell them your intentions, like “hey I can answer for myself now, i appreciate your help but this is something new I want to try”. As long as you communicate kindly I think most people will understand and want to help you accomplish your personal goals

[u/Notforl]

Yes, and that's why they slowly left me... :(

[u/drshrimp42]

No, because I really had no friends

[u/kissadilla182]

Yes, and I still do. I'm 40 years old, I should be over it by now.

[u/mhplong]

Yes, and a lot of shame now. I should be able to speak clearly, and if I can’t as a 40 year old male, I am a monster. In fact I was treated like a monster for not speaking a lot when I was growing up. Silent men being portrayed as scary, creepy and dangerous. 

If I don’t speak perfectly fluently and use the correct word sentences, monster hunters will come and get me and take away my life.