It’s been a while since I wrote from the heart on here, instead of my usual robotic tech style-guided blog posts. I don’t know when, but somewhere between starting my career and where I am today, I lost my voice.
When I say “I lost my voice”, I don’t mean in the sense where Ineed to gargle with salt water — no — I mean that I strayed away from the raw, unapologetically authentic writing style I once loved, and started writing in a voice that was more “professional”, “safe”, or “relatable”. Always fearful of not sounding educated enough or too urban. This new voice has, as a result, made me more passive and insecure in the very abilities that got me to where I am today. Why do content creators of color feel the need to rebrand themselves as “professional”, “safe”, or “suburban” to fit in? Why did I feel like the higher I climbed up the corporate ladder, the more “professional” I had to become? Is there a space for unapologetically black professionals in corporate America's tech industry? Why is code switching a thing in the black corporate world?
I forgot what it felt like to write without a reason or a style guide. I let the world take the passion out of writing for me and silence the voice that I was once proud of. As a result, I began to feel insecure when posting content on my social media platforms. I always questioned whether I sounded smart enough or if I was using the correct grammar, which took “me” out of my work. I miss being able to mentally vomit in my writing about anything that came to mind, and somehow creating something wonderfully me.
For 2025, I aim to find my voice again, in any topic I choose to write about. I no longer want to portray this image of “having it all together” because — I don’t! I get stressed out just like everyone else. I am not perfect. I battle depression and impostor syndrome. I don’t know it all when it comes to tech. I don’t always make the best decisions. I didn’t have the easiest life. BUT I MADE IT — and continue to give life my all even when I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!
I don’t want my career or social media following to censor the way that I express myself through my work. I want my content to feel familiar, fun, honest, edgy, and comforting. I am tired of leaving things in draft because I feel like it's “off brand” or “too edgy”. And these are not self-inflicted insecurities either. I have had many brand consultations where I was recommended to change my look, target audience, and the way I talk. This, on top of being taught how to talk, act, look, and dress professionally through boot camps, training programs, and on-the-job training, is enough to lose one's voice, let alone their identity.
And THAT is why my voice matters.
I have a unique perspective that fuels my passion for advocating on behalf of those who have a voice similar to mine. What would the world be like if we all sounded the same? What would make us enjoyable if we all shared the same perspective?
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