Speaking Anyway: The Moment I Finally Said It Out Loud
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
I did something the other night that absolutely terrified me.
I spoke first.
Not after I gathered my thoughts.
Not after I felt ready.
Not after I convinced myself I had something “valuable” to say.
I just… spoke.
And what came out surprised even me.
💛 THE TRUTH BEFORE THE MOMENT
If I’m being honest, I almost didn’t say anything at all.
That voice showed up—the one I know so well:
“You don’t have anything of value to add.”
“Just listen.”
“Other people are more articulate.”
I’ve lived with that voice for a long time.
Even as a teacher.
Even as an artist.
Even as someone who helps others find their voice.
🎤 THE MOMENT
But this time… something shifted.
Before I could overthink it, I said:
“I’m realizing I’ve probably always lived in both the Artist and the Rebel…”
And I kept going.
I talked about how I’ve always created outside the box.
How I’ve pushed against expectations—not just in my art, but in my life.
How I’m in a season of redefining my teaching, setting stronger boundaries, and stepping more fully into the value of what I offer.
And then…
I said something I have never said out loud before.
I admitted that I’m really good at what I do.
😳 THE PART NO ONE TALKS ABOUT
And that’s when it hit me.
I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.
I was on the verge of tears.
My voice shook.
My heart was racing.
And in that moment, I realized…
This wasn’t just about speaking.
This was about telling the truth about myself.
🧠 WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN
I thought:
I would freeze
I wouldn’t know what to say
there would be awkward silence
I thought I would prove that voice right.
✨ WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
None of that happened.
I spoke.
I was heard.
And nothing fell apart.
In fact… something came together.
🔥 THE REALIZATION
We don’t wait to feel ready.
We don’t wait until we have the perfect words.
We don’t wait until the fear is gone.
We speak anyway.
We show up anyway.
We tell the truth anyway.
And confidence?
It doesn’t come before that moment.
👉 It comes after.
🎨 TYING IT BACK TO MY WORK
I’ve always said:
“No Rules, Just Art®.”
But I realized something important that night…
That philosophy doesn’t just apply to creating.
It applies to:
using your voice
taking up space
owning your place in the room
🌵 SENSE OF PLACE (DEEPER LAYER)
This whole experience made me think about something even bigger.
Not just where we create…
But where we belong.
For so long, part of me has quietly questioned
:“Do I really belong here?”
And in that moment, something shifted.
I wasn’t asking anymore.
👉 I was claiming my place.
💥 CLOSING
Maybe it’s not about being ready.
Maybe it’s not about having the perfect thing to say.
Maybe it’s simply this:
We speak anyway.
And in doing so…we discover we had something worth saying all along.
And maybe… that’s where it begins.
With gratitude,
Deb (DJ) Deaton
No Rules, Just Art®
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