Growing up with financial struggles, in a village or town, with mostly regional-language education shaped my confidence. My school called itself English medium, but hardly anyone taught in English. My parents worked hard to support me. But I was also taught not to question them or any elder, teacher, police officer, rich person, or city person. I grew up feeling like I should always obey and never speak up. That followed me into engineering and work. Struggling to express myself, stumbling over words during presentations, sweating, finding it hard to say no. Being the obedient “nice guy” comes at a cost. Many people around the world grow up this way, constantly worrying about how others see them, afraid of humiliation or awkwardness, and holding themselves back from taking risks. I’m learning to push myself out of my comfort zone, speak up, and stand up for myself. It’s okay to express your thoughts and clarify what you mean when someone misunderstands you. You don’t have to silently accept their version of you. Let yourself be awkward while you practise. Trust me, people care far less about your awkward moments than you think. They have their own lives and worries. That’s how you grow and build confidence. With practice, you can communicate more clearly, feel more comfortable during presentations, and perform better at work. You don’t have to keep holding yourself back. Ask questions. Say no. Make mistakes. Express yourself. Just be mindful of your words and be kind.