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What was the longest you ever went without using your voice, without having a medical reason (cold, sore throat, surgery, injury, etc.)? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 day ago by LouNeko@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I regularly go about 2 ½ days without making a single audible sound with my voice. Friday through Monday.

I used to talk to myself a bit or sing/hum along while listening to music but I kinda stopped doing that.

The funny thing is, I've recently realizied that the last and first thing I say throughout the weekend are usually the same. I say "Goodbye" to my coworkers on a Friday evening, and then I say "Goodbye" to the cashier near the self checkout at the grocery store where I grab my lunch for the day on a Monday morning. It's sort of ironic that the first thing I say after a long period of time, is something that usually ends a conversation.

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[-] LouNeko@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I feel like your voice is sort of a use-it-or-lose it type of thing. Even by "nobody likes the sound of their own voice" standards, my voice is objectively very unpleasant. But since I started using it less and less, it became even more nasal, more hoarse and even more high-pitched.

I just really don't have a lot reasons to speak, neither do I really want them. I think everything I say throughout the entire week fits on a single sheets of paper. Which sucks when I inevitable do have to hold a meeting or presentation, and I permanently sound like I got a lump in my throat. I have a coworker who's voice literally sounds like nails on a chalkboard, it's unbearable and I feel like mine is not far removed from that.

I really envy people that have a nice crispy deep voice or a beautiful singing voice. I feel like your voice carries way more power and attractiveness than your physical appearance despite being the hardest to significantly influence.

[-] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

Yes its partially genetic and your health, but good voices come from training. All those celebs and ted talk people? They had years of voice training. Its very rare someone naturally has a perfect speaking or singing voice with zero training. this stupid Internet age makes everyone think everyone else is better than them with zero effort.

I doubt your voice is as bad as you think. And actually, not using your voice gives it a rest. Many vocalists actually dont talk at all on show days to preserve their voice for the show.

Even if your voice is annoying, your cadence and delivery can be changed with training. If youre likeable, your voice can be annoying as fuck and it wont matter.

[-] LouNeko@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I disagree. It is definetly survivorship bias. Yes training can give you a bit of an edge, but the ones with unpleasant voices simply never make it to stardom, or any speaking roles in fact. The only ones I can think of are Kristen Schaal and Zack Hadel (probably the closest example to my own voice) who are essentially reserved for voicing weird cartoon characters and don't exactly have the stage presence of Shohreh Aghdashloo or Christopher Judge.

You get the range you're born with, that's it. Otherwise everybody could train to be Freddie Mercury.

Look at David Hayter, he's one the most famous voices in video game history and even he can't bring himself to do his iconic Solid Snake voice for long periods of time despite being professionally trained. One of the reasons why Joji retired his Filthy Frank persona was because it was to taxing to do his voice and had an negative effect on his music career.

Your voice is directly proportional to your likeability and cadence for the same reason they don't make shit brown or piss yellow Ferraris.

[-] glimse@lemmy.world 2 points 12 hours ago

I agree with this person's suggestion but want to put another spin on it. The goal doesn't have to be giving you a brand new voice, just use it to exercise. At the very least, the muscles will be "ready" to speak when you have to so you'll have more confidence about it.

Do you like music? Try singing or even just humming. Play around with your mouth, throat, and posture to hear how it changes the timbre. I won't over promise here but people have WAY more control than they realize. Say "aaahhh" and move your head forward and back, it's crazy what a big change it makes.

I don't think the character voices you gave are fair, though. Filthy Frank and Solid Snake both sound like they've smoked two packs a day since birth. Mimicking that damage is kind of damaging in itself. A similar thing happens with singers who only use falsetto - that is ROUGH on your body.

Point taken about Kristen Schaal. She does have a cute voice that works well with cartoons. But I would absolutely take her seriously in a serious role, too! She's just really funny so she mostly does comedy

[-] Zarobi@aussie.zone 1 points 1 day ago

May I suggest trying one of those voice training apps? I hated my voice too… so I changed it lol. It took a while but I spent an hour every day for a few weeks practicing and then it became habit

this post was submitted on 25 Sep 2026

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