Episode 53
Permission to Take Up Space: Embrace Your Voice
It's okay if you're still learning to take up space, and that's the heart of today's conversation. I want to share my journey of moving from a place where I felt the need to stay small to one where I've embraced the value of my voice and presence. For a long time, I believed that not taking up too much air was the right way to go, but I've realized that staying small comes at a cost—it quiets our ideas and diminishes our worth. Through my experience hosting the Life Shift podcast, I've learned that taking up space is not just about being loud; it's about being authentic and allowing ourselves to be heard. So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re meant for more but are held back, let this episode be a gentle reminder that your voice matters and you have permission to take up space.
Takeaways:
- It's completely okay to still be learning how to take up space in life.
- Staying small can have a significant cost, affecting how we value our ideas.
- Podcasting helped me learn to hold space for myself and embrace my own voice.
- Taking up space is a practice we can build into our everyday lives and routines.
- Everyone should remind themselves that their voice and presence truly matter in any situation.
- Giving yourself permission to take up space can transform how you engage with others.
Transcript
Hey, this is.
Speaker A:It's okay if bite sized permission slips.
Speaker A:I'm Matt Gilhooley, and today's permission.
Speaker A:It's okay if you're still learning to take up space.
Speaker A:For a long time, I was the person who tried to stay small.
Speaker A:In meetings, in conversation, in life.
Speaker A:I just didn't want to be a burden.
Speaker A:I didn't want to take up too much air.
Speaker A:I was the responsible one, the good one, the one who didn't ruffle feathers.
Speaker A:But staying small comes at a cost.
Speaker A:Your ideas get quieter, your voice gets softer.
Speaker A:You start believing that what you have to offer isn't as valuable.
Speaker A:And then I started podcasting.
Speaker A:Hosting the Life Shift podcast forced me to take up space, to ask real questions, to hold space for others.
Speaker A:And in doing that, I had to hold space for myself, too.
Speaker A:It didn't happen overnight.
Speaker A:It's still happening.
Speaker A:But every episode, every conversation, I learn a little bit more about standing in my own voice.
Speaker A:Not shrinking, not apologizing.
Speaker A:Maybe you're still learning that, too.
Speaker A:And that's okay.
Speaker A:Taking up space is a practice.
Speaker A:It's a muscle you build, a permission that you give yourself.
Speaker A:So if today you're feeling small but you know you're meant for more, let this be your reminder.
Speaker A:So if you're up for it, tell yourself, I give myself permission to take up space.
Speaker A:My voice matters.
Speaker A:My presence matters.
Speaker A:That's your permission slip, friend.
Speaker A:Tuck it in your pocket, and I'll see you next time.
