Too Loud, Too Soon: The Cost of Being Yourself

Too Loud, Too Soon: The Cost of Being Yourself

From Subjective by Donyelle Murray

May 23, 2025 · 39 min · Episode 13

About this episode

Donyelle Murray reflects on the challenges and costs of being authentically oneself in a world that often rewards conformity.

They used to say I “talked back.” Now I talk for a living. In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s really like to be the person who always speaks up—even when it’s easier (and safer) to stay quiet. From being labeled a big mouth as a kid to building a career rooted in communication, I’m unpacking the cost and the calling of radical authenticity. What does it really cost to be yourself in a world that rewards performance? For me, it meant being misunderstood, mislabeled, and left out. It meant being called outspoken, dramatic, opinionated, loud, sometimes all in the same breath. But it also meant building a life where I could finally own the very thing I was once punished for: my voice. This episode is personal. I’m reflecting on how I tried to shrink myself, how I failed at being anyone but me, and how I finally realized that the thing they tried to silence was actually my gift. — 🖤 JOIN THE SUBJECTIVE COMMUNITY 🎧 Listen & ⁠⁠subscribe⁠⁠ 📬 ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ 📲 IG / TikTok: @TheSubjectivePod 📸IG @_DonyelleMurray 📥 Business: subjective@donyellemurray.com 📚📰 ⁠⁠Receipts & Resources⁠⁠ — Have a burning question? Need advice? Or want to share your wildest, craziest story…

People in this episode

Host: Donyelle Murray

Topics covered

  • authenticity
  • self-expression
  • communication
  • personal growth
  • identity

Keywords

  • radical authenticity
  • self-acceptance
  • speaking up
  • misunderstood
  • personal journey

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