Why I Chose to Speak Before I Felt Ready — And How to Reclaim Your Voice

By Julie Condliffe

They say timing is everything — but what if the clock never strikes “ready”?

I am Julie Condliffe, and for years, I believed I had to wait until the pain had healed, until I had the perfect words, until my story was wrapped in a neat bow, with no mess left showing, but you know what, healing is not linear. Clarity does not always come before courage.

So, I made a decision: To speak before I felt ready. Not because I had all the answers — but because I had lived through the questions. I stood on stage with a heart still trembling from the fallout of public scrutiny, professional loss, and personal grief. I had been silenced, shamed, and sidelined. But I realised — if I waited until I no longer felt fear, I might never speak at all. That is when I learned the power of reclaiming my voice. 

True visibility comes from being present in your truth, not striving for perfection. Visibility is not about flawlessness. Reclaiming your voice is about trusting yourself, not trying to outshine others. It is about finding the courage to speak, even when your voice trembles, and refusing to wait for external validation. This journey is not limited to public speakers – it is for anyone who has ever felt silenced by shame, trauma, or self-doubt. Your story matters, your words hold power, and your silence can no longer serve the world.

How to Begin Reclaiming Your Voice

If you have ever felt like your voice was taken — by fear, by failure, by public criticism — here are three powerful ways to begin reclaiming it:

1. Own Your Story, Fully. 

Stop editing yourself for other people’s comfort. You do not need a “sanitised” version of your truth. You need a strong relationship with your real story — the one with scars, lessons, and resilience
Ask yourself:
– What am I still hiding?
– Whose approval am I waiting for?
– What part of my story do I need to make peace with?

Writing down your story, even if just for you, is a powerful act of visibility.

2. Speak Before You Feel Ready

This is not about recklessness — it’s about readiness of the heart.

Often, we think we need more time, more polish, more credentials. But the truth is, the moment you feel the urge to speak — that is the invitation. Do not wait until you have rehearsed your way into numbness. You reclaim your voice by using it. Speak on social media. Speak in a support group. Speak in a mirror. Just begin.

3. Surround Yourself With Story-Safe People

Not everyone deserves front-row access to your journey. Reclaiming your voice does not mean exposing yourself to criticism or cynicism. It means choosing aligned spaces where your voice is nurtured, not judged. Find coaches, mentors, and communities that do not just tolerate your truth — they champion it.

That is what I had to do. I removed myself from toxic spaces that dimmed my light and found ones that reminded me of who I really was not a cautionary tale, but a comeback queen.

Go Deeper With Your Voice

If you want to go deeper into this journey and learn how to transform your story into a stage-worthy talk, I created a course just for you: From Personal Pain to Paid Public Speaking.

It’s a practical, powerful guide to help you find your voice, craft your message, and step into visibility with confidence.

Visit: https://juliecondliffe.co.uk/product/from-personal-pain-to-paid-public-speaking/

The Power of Positioning Through Story

Reclaiming your voice is a powerful act of positioning – your story becomes your strategic advantage, and your vulnerability transforms into unapologetic visibility. By embracing your lived truth, you can shift your narrative from one of shame to one of empowerment. It’s not about achieving perfection; it is about owning your authentic voice and using it to redefine your path.

Positioning isn’t about pretending. It’s about deciding:
– Who you are
– What you stand for
– How you want to be remembered

And then making sure your voice — your real voice — reflects that.

Actionable Steps to Reclaim Your Voice

If you’re ready to begin your own journey, here’s where to start:

1. Write your “messy” truth.  – Don’t worry about grammar. Just write the story you have never told.

2. Record yourself telling it.  – Listen back not to critique — but to connect with the parts you have ignored.

3. Speak it in safe spaces.  – Join a workshop, share with a friend, or attend a story circle.

4. Craft your story into a message.  – If your story had a title, what would it be? What is the core message someone else could take from it?

5. Claim your platform. – Post. Speak. Publish. Teach. You do not need to wait to “become a speaker” — you become one by speaking.

You Are Already Enough

Reclaiming your voice is not about becoming someone new. It is about returning to who you have always been.

I have seen too many women wait for someone to hand them a microphone — when in fact, they are the message. The world does not need another perfect speaker. It needs someone like you: real, raw, rising. So speak before you feel ready. Not because it’s easy. But because it’s necessary. And because your voice, my love, is unbreakable.

✨ Three Takeaways for Reclaiming Your Voice:

Visibility begins the moment you decide your story matters — not when it’s polished.

You don’t become a speaker by waiting. You become one by using your voice.

Reclaiming your voice is not a performance — it is a power move.