On October 8, my interview on the Be Significant podcast with Matt Rogers and Beth Cook went live. It was an honor to be asked and a fun experience — one I never anticipated. We talked about the history of girls’ sports and some of the challenges in youth sports today.

We recorded the interview in August, so I listened to it carefully as I didn’t remember everything we discussed. I also listened to my voice, because I hadn’t heard what it sounded like to others for quite a few years.

And I hadn’t heard it at all for over four weeks.

Early in September I had thyroid surgery that temporarily affected my vocal nerve. For almost two weeks, I could barely make a sound. I knew the chances were slim, but wondered what it would be like if I never spoke again. I told myself that I could adapt. Others have. But I became keenly aware of what it’s like to have no voice — literally and figuratively.

The difficulty I had with verbal communication kept me silent, wanting to conserve what little voice power I had for when I had something important to say. I found that even having to write or type a note to my husband made me think twice. What did I have to say? Was it worth the effort? I edited my thoughts before trying to communicate. I let a lot of them go.

Does everything need to be said?

I knew that I was being selective, but others did not. They didn’t know that I shared one of perhaps a dozen thoughts. What if we always put that much thought into the words we speak? What if we truly listened to others because we knew it took effort — or courage — for them to speak?

Growing up I was told I was quiet. Thanks to Susan Cain’s book by that title, I’ve come to realize that was never a bad thing. As an adult I talk more, but like many writers, I am an introvert. It takes courage for me to share my thoughts. It took a lot of courage to publish 50 Years in the Bleachers. I have never taken the words I write and share with the world lightly.

The first few weeks after surgery, I had no desire to write. I wondered if I was done. But then, as my speaking voice came back to me over the past month, so did new writing ideas. I miss writing for the joy of writing. I want to explore new paths.

Unfortunately, I’m burned out by personal events of the last six months, so I’m going to take a break from writing Lessons from the Driveway.

I need time to reset and see where my voice takes me. 

I truly appreciate your support. Watch for an update in 2024!

Enjoy!

Redefining Youth Sports on the Be Significant podcast with Matt Rogers and Beth Cook

Quiet, The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain*

Planning to buy books this holiday season?

If you like to support independent bookstores and shop online—you can!

* I am an affiliate for bookshop.org and have a storefront on their site where I gather all the books I’ve mentioned in my blog and others about sports. If you purchase these or any other books by starting at my storefront (bookshop.org/shop/christinehawkinson) I will earn a small commission. OR—you can support your favorite local bookstore by selecting theirs!

photo by Matt Botsford on Unsplash