Have You Lost Your Voice (or Just Stopped Trusting It)?

As women, we wear a lot of hats.

Mother.Partner.Professional.Caregiver.Advocate.Friend.

And somewhere along the way, many of us begin to lose something important:

Our voice.

Not necessarily our ability to speak but our ability to speak honestly, confidently, and without constantly filtering ourselves through other people's expectations.

In a recent episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sat down with voice guide and visibility coach Kimberly LaForte to talk about what happens when women disconnect from their voice and how they can begin reclaiming it.

The Hidden Cost of People Pleasing

One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centered around the subtle ways women give away their power every day.

We watch people's facial expressions.

We adjust our words.

We soften our opinions.

We add a nervous laugh.

We say "maybe" when we really mean "no."

Most of us aren't even aware we're doing it.

But every time we change ourselves to manage someone else's reaction, we move a little further away from our authentic voice.

And over time, that disconnection becomes exhausting.

Why Speaking Up Feels So Hard

Many women assume confidence is something you're either born with or not.

Kimberly sees it differently.

She believes confidence is deeply connected to nervous system regulation.

In other words, the women who appear confident aren't necessarily less nervous. They've simply spent time building the capacity to stay connected to themselves when discomfort shows up.

They've practiced.

They've learned that being seen isn't dangerous.

They've taught their bodies that their voice is safe.

The Moment So Many Mothers Recognize

As we talked, I couldn't help but think about the parents I work with every day.

Many walk into school meetings carrying years of frustration, worry, fear, and self-doubt.

Some shut down.

Others become overwhelmed and react from a place of intense emotion.

Neither response happens because they don't care.

In fact, it happens because they care deeply.

Kimberly offered a perspective I loved:

What if your body's reaction isn't a problem?

What if the racing heart, sweaty palms, shaking hands, or lump in your throat are simply signs that what you're about to say matters?

Instead of fighting those sensations, what if you allowed them?

Stop Making Your Body Wrong

One of Kimberly's guiding principles is simple:

"We never make our body wrong."

Read that again.

We never make our body wrong.

So many of us spend our energy trying to hide what we're feeling.

Trying not to shake.Trying not to cry.Trying not to appear nervous.

But resistance often makes those feelings stronger.

When we stop fighting our body's response and simply allow it, we create space to stay present and connected to our message.

Reclaiming Your Voice Starts Small

You don't need a stage.

You don't need a microphone.

You don't need thousands of followers.

You simply need practice.

Kimberly encourages women to start by speaking more, even to themselves.

Tell stories out loud.

Practice conversations.

Hear yourself think.

Get comfortable hearing your own voice.

Because confidence isn't built in the big moments.

It's built in the hundreds of small moments that come before them.

Your Voice Matters

Whether you're advocating for your child, setting boundaries, asking for support, pursuing a dream, or simply speaking more honestly in your relationships, your voice matters.

Not because everyone will agree with you.

Not because you'll always say it perfectly.

But because your voice is part of who you are.

And the world needs more women who trust themselves enough to use it.