It all started when I woke up one morning and noticed that my voice was hoarse and weak. I assumed it was just a cold or a minor sore throat, but as the day went on, my voice continued to deteriorate until I could barely speak above a whisper. I quickly realized that this was not just a minor inconvenience, it was a major problem.
I visited my doctor and found out that I had developed laryngitis, an inflammation of the larynx (voice box) that can cause loss of voice or hoarseness. My doctor advised me to rest my voice as much as possible and gave me some medication to help reduce the inflammation. For the next week, I was unable to speak and had to rely on text messaging, email, and other forms of written communication. I had to cancel several appointments and meetings because I couldn’t speak, and I felt like I was missing out on important conversations and opportunities.
But the most isolating part of this experience was the fact that it happened in a virtual world. We live in a time where most of our communication is done through phone calls, video conferences and virtual meetings. Not being able to speak in this environment made me feel like I was missing out on important conversations and opportunities. I felt like I was invisible, and it was a difficult feeling to shake.The frustration of not being able to speak was compounded by the fact that there was nothing I could do to fix it. I had to just wait for my voice to come back, and it felt like an eternity. But as the week went on, I started to see the silver lining. I learned to appreciate the power of written communication and the beauty of nonverbal cues. I also learned to be a better listener and to pay more attention to the people around me.
It was frustrating not being able to speak, but it also made me realize how much I rely on my voice and how important communication is in my daily life. It was a reminder that our voices are a gift and that we should cherish and protect them. The experience was a humbling one. I realized how much I took my voice for granted and how much it affected my daily life.
It made me appreciate the simple things, like being able to say “hello” or “thank you.”
In the end, my voice came back, but the experience taught me to take better care of my health. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, remember that it’s important to seek medical attention and to be patient. And most importantly, appreciate the small things in life like your ability to speak and communicate.
The diary of Anne Frank was published in the Netherlands on 25 June 1947. Now this is where it becomes weird coincidence.
Reflections 