Hearing your own voice can be a moment of discomfort for you. Many people hate recording their voice, whether for a professional project, personal, or a simple voice note. But have you ever thought about why it happens?
A study in 1966 coined a term for when you hear yourself, voice confrontation. There are many emotional and psychological factors that contribute to a negative self-perception. However, if you hate recording your voice, don’t worry because you can counter it and start loving your voice.
By understanding its underlying causes, you can overcome this insecurity. Now, let’s discuss why you hate recording your voice and how you can stop it.
Why Do I Hate Recording Myself?
It’s because you have an insecurity around your voice and you fear criticism of it. When you talk, it seems like you have a decent voice, but when you record it, you get cringe feelings. It happens due to a scientific phenomenon in which your brain turns off the sound processing part when you talk.
Let’s explain the reasons one by one in detail…
- You Are Facing Insecurity
The primary reason why you hate recording your voice is your insecurity. You may not like how you sound, have a high-pitched sound, or have a speech impediment. When you hear your voice in a recording, it seems different from you what you perceive internally.
This difference leads to self-doubt and discomfort. Hence, you hate recording or listening to your voice. However, you must know that it’s a familiar feeling; everyone feels the same after hearing their voice. If you’re wired to grimace at the sound of your voice, it doesn’t mean you can’t get used to it.
- You Have High Self-Expectations
You might set unrealistic and high expectations for how your voice should sound. When you don’t think your recorded voice is reasonably good enough, it leads to self-criticism. You may also compare yourself to others and set a high standard for your voice.
Such things lead to your hate for recording your voice because you feel like a failure. However, you must know that your voice is a natural extension of you and doesn’t need to match anyone else. Don’t seek perfection; focus on gradual improvement if you think it has flaws.
- Hesitation in Self-Reflection
If you want to avoid self-reflection, it amplifies your negative feelings towards recording your voice. Due to the discomfort and distress it brings, you may shy away from listening to your voice. But you need to know that it’s normal to feel absorbed while listening to your voice for the first time.
Self-reflection is vital to your being, and you must embrace it with an open heart. So, record your voice and listen to it to find areas of potential improvement rather than hating it.
- Feeling Unnatural or Inauthentic
Recording yourself is not an easy task, and you might feel like putting on a different persona. It feels unnatural if you have no experience talking to a recording device. There is also a c that you want to sound a certain way that doesn’t come naturally to you.
Due to these reasons, you hesitate and start to hate recording your voice. However, you must avoid all this hesitation and think like you are talking to a friend. Be genuine and talk naturally, and you’ll notice that your authentic voice will shine through.
- Fear of Criticism On Your Voice
The fear of being judged shatters your self-confidence and hinders your enjoyment of recording. You become self-conscious and wonder what others would think about your voice. Hence, you can’t relax and record your voice naturally.
It enhances your hate for recording your voice. But you must know everyone has a different opinion and will not like your voice. That’s perfectly normal, and you should focus on taking positive feedback from that rather than noticing the negative comments.
- Your Personality Type Plays A Role
Your hate for recording your voice also depends on your personality type. Some personality types are more prone to self-criticism than others. For example, if you are introverted and shy, you are more likely to be self-conscious about your voice.
You feel hesitation and fear judgment more than other personality types. Therefore, you must look for your personality type and determine if it amplifies your hate. Nurture your inner voice, and don’t become overly self-critical.
Is It Normal To Hate The Way You Sound?
Yes, it’s normal and happens to everyone. It’s a scientific phenomenon called the “voice confrontation effect.” When you speak, the vibrations from vocal cords travel through your bones and tissues, affecting how you perceive your voice. But when you hear a recording, you hear only from the outside.
Moreover, while listening to a recording, you’re only experiencing the sound waves traveling through the air. They sound different from your internal perception, resulting in unease or even aversion to your recorded voice. It’s jarring at first, but it’s something that you’ll get used to over time.
How Do I Stop Hating My Voice When Recording?
By removing the insecurity and stop seeking perfectionism in your voice, you can stop hating your voice recording. Try to build self-confidence and accept your voice because it’s unique and can’t match any other person’s voice. You can also use these six strategies to sound more likable while recording.
You can also try some other techniques to tackle this issue…
- Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing
Breathing from your diaphragm helps reduce the tension and anxiety when you are recording. This technique enables you to speak with a more relaxed and natural tone. Hence, your sound becomes natural and less jarring, and you no longer hate your voice.
- Choose A Suitable Space
The space you choose to record in significantly impacts the sound of your voice. You must record your voice in a quiet space, free of all distractions. It helps you feel at ease and speak naturally while recording. Otherwise, you face constant distractions, and that’s the reason you hate your voice in recordings.
- Focus More On What You Say
Shift your focus from how you sound to the content of the message. It doesn’t matter how you sound, if your message is clear, the listeners will appreciate it. It also helps you avoid falling into the vicious loop of negative self-perceptions. Your content matters more than the sound of your voice.
- Don’t Worry If You Make Mistakes
If you make any mistakes in recording your voice, don’t worry; let this bring you down. It’s part of the process, and you’ll improve over time. Keep speaking with confidence and treat your mistakes as an opportunity to learn.
- Speak Without Any Fear
While recording your voice, you must not let any fear distract you. Don’t think about what others would say about your voice, and build self-confidence. If you keep thinking about criticism from people, you won’t be able to succeed. So, remove your fear, and start loving your voice while recording.
- Stay The Real You
You’ll only love your voice and be satisfied with your voice when you accept yourself and show your genuine side. Don’t try to become someone you are not; keep speaking in your natural tone. Let your personality shine, and embrace your true self. That’s how you will stop hating your voice while recording.
Final Thoughts
Hating your recorded voices is a shared experience, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. By understanding the reasons behind this aversion and implementing practical strategies, you can gradually learn to stop hating recording yourself.
Remember, your voice is unique and valuable, and with practice, you can overcome these insecurities. So, don’t let the fear of your recorded voice hold you back. Embrace it and use it as a tool for personal growth.
