I took my time before answering and didn’t hate myself for it

Dear Delyara, There are rooms where I still feel a subtle pressure to be quick if I want to be taken seriously. This week I let myself pause, think, and answer at my real speed instead of my defensive speed. Nothing terrible happened. In fact, I sounded more like myself. It’s strange how much of confidence is not boldness, but timing you don’t apologize for. This week, I trusted my timing a little more.