Drama King Teejay's CORNER

At age 9, I already developed a baritone voice. When I spoke, people would turn to look for who was talking. Some elderly men at the time even scolded me for having such a manly voice at that age.

At a point, I got scared of speaking in public. My friends shamed me for it too. I kept hoping it would change as I aged, but instead of getting lighter, it got thi cker. I always admired guys with soft, tiny voices. Sometimes I’d even hold my breath trying to sound like them. It still wouldn’t work.

In my mid-twenties, I was always sorted after for the choir group, which I never joined. I remember participating in a song concert twice and was put on the bass line-up. On phone calls, people older than me often address me as “Sir.” But when they eventually meet me, they doubt I was actually the one they’d spoken to. I was ashamed of my voice at a point that I started looking for natural ways to change it. Sometimes I’d record myself just to listen, and I still wouldn’t like it.

Through all of that, something was missing, I wasn’t proud of who I was, the uniqueness in my voice. I didn't see the beauty and recognise the masculine traits I have. I avoided voice notes the same way I avoided video calls. I rarely took photos because of my slim build, even though I was very handsome. Clothes didn’t fit right on me. I’d snap a dozen pictures and delete almost all of them.

That’s how little confidence I had in myself few years back.
As time went on, I got past thirty, and that’s when people, mostly women, started complimenting my baritone voice. At first, I thought it was just flattering, but more people kept saying how lovely it was. I remember how my girlfriend then would call just to hear my voice and she’d be excited. That lady really took the shyness away from me. She’d only call on video and insist on voice notes.

Few years ago, I noticed I've gained confidence in myself. I started initiating video calls and using voice notes more often in communication. In a WhatsApp group I belong to, during an online meeting, I shared an opinion through a voice note. One lady complimented my voice. Some other ladies agreed with her. A female blog visitor who no longer comments once told me she likes my voice. She said it’s exactly like that of her pastor.
Today, I feel excited when I listen to my voice notes. They're so refined and sound so lovely to me.
What changed?
I embrace the identity and the uniqueness in who I am. I do more voice notes and calls than typing these days. Self confidence boost you to be outstanding.