ANXIOUS TO
IN CHARGE
Silence has side effects.
Lets talk about it.
-THE PROBLEM -
More people than ever are feeling stifled — at work, at home, and within themselves.
The effects are real, and they’re showing up in the data.
76%
of employees say they’ve stayed silent about a work issue to avoid conflict — even when it affected performance or well-being.
1in3
say they feel comfortable being their true selves at work.
You are
3X
more likely to experience depression and burnout due to a stifled lifestyle.
Stifld (adj.)
When you stop yourself from being real — to keep others comfortable.
A condition marked by withheld opinions, muted ideas, and the slow fading of your voice in rooms that never deserved your silence.
Symptoms may include:
– Chronic overthinking
– Fear of speaking up
– Approval-seeking
– Creative constipation
– A general sense that you’re not you
Unstifld (adj.)
The state of being unapologetically yourself — even when it makes others uncomfortable.
A condition marked by speaking up, showing up real, and refusing to shrink to fit broken systems.
Symptoms may include:
– Unfiltered confidence
– Ideas that actually get heard
– Peace of mind
– Fewer fake smiles
– A wildly contagious sense of freedom
-THE SIDE EFFECTS -
Living a stifled life — where you suppress your voice, emotions, and true identity — doesn’t just dim your personality. It can quietly wreck your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.
🧠
Mental Health Deterioration
-
Chronic anxiety, depression, and low self-worth
-
Impostor syndrome and fear of judgment
-
Feeling invisible or emotionally numb
💼
Career
Stagnation
-
Avoiding leadership roles or new challenges
-
Withholding feedback, ideas, or creativity
-
Accepting poor treatment or toxic work environments
-
Burnout from trying to “hold it all together”
❤️
Relationship
Strain
-
Constant people-pleasing and resentment buildup
-
Struggling to set boundaries or communicate needs
-
Feeling disconnected even in close relationships
💔
Physical
Symptoms
-
Insomnia or chronic fatigue
-
Stress-related issues (high blood pressure, headaches, etc.)
-
Tension in your body from constantly “bracing” yourself
🕳️
Loss of Identity & Purpose
-
Forgetting what you actually want
-
Living on autopilot
-
Feeling like you’re playing a role instead of being a person
🚫
Fear of
Being Seen
-
Avoiding opportunities that bring attention (even positive ones)
-
Downplaying your achievements
-
Feeling uncomfortable with compliments or recognition
-THE SUPPORT -
It's time to start breaking the silence with podcasts, resources, and raw truths that help people get unstifled.
