I struggle to express myself and share my knowledge, and it frustrates me deeply.
I consider myself fairly smart and knowledgeable. I’ve always been curious, interested in many subjects, and capable of forming clear, coherent thoughts , at least when I’m alone or writing. When I write, I can express myself easily, articulate complex ideas, and feel confident about what I know.
But the moment I’m face-to-face with someone, especially in conversation, everything changes. My words come out messy. I struggle to form sentences, doubt everything I say, sound hesitant and unsure ,even when I’m talking about topics I’m passionate about and have spent hours learning through reading, documentaries, and research.
It mostly happens with people I find interesting or knowledgeable ; people I actually want to connect with. The pressure builds in my head, my mind goes blank, and I end up saying “I don’t know” not because I truly don’t know, but because speaking suddenly feels too difficult. I withdraw into listening mode instead of sharing my perspective, which only increases my frustration.
With people who aren’t knowledgeable about the subject, I speak more freely. There’s less fear of “messing up” or being corrected, so I feel safer expressing my thoughts without overthinking every word.
I genuinely don’t mind saying “I don’t know” when I actually don’t know, I have no ego around that. What hurts is when I do know, but can’t express it, and others assume I lack competence or even belittle me for it.
I’m not sure what causes this : anxiety, self-doubt, memory issues, or something else, but I know it’s holding me back both socially and professionally. I want to be able to express myself clearly, showcase my knowledge, and convey my competence so I can pursue opportunities I’m truly capable of handling.
Has anyone experienced something similar, or found ways to overcome this? I’d really appreciate any insight or advice.