How Toastmasters, Improv, and Journaling Transformed My Storytelling Journey
Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?
Oh, absolutely. I’ve performed on stage a few times, and honestly, each one felt like a mini adventure. It all started with my stint at Toastmasters. Joining that group was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. I remember my very first speech—it was an “icebreaker,” which is a fancy way of saying, Get up there and talk about yourself without freezing.
I walked up, my palms sweating like I’d just run a marathon, and somehow managed to share a little story about my love-hate relationship with clichés (of course). I stumbled over words, laughed nervously, and probably overshared, but when I saw the audience nodding and smiling, I knew I had survived. More than that, I realized I loved it. Toastmasters became this safe space where I could refine my voice, learn the art of storytelling, and let go of the fear of public speaking—well, most of it.
Then came improv, which was a completely different beast. I signed up for classes post-COVID, feeling cooped up and needing to shake things up. Improv is wild because there’s no script, no plan—just you, your imagination, and your ability to make people laugh (or cringe). I remember one exercise where we had to create a scene from a single word. My word was “pickle.” Somehow, it turned into a dramatic monologue about losing my jar of pickles in the apocalypse. The group was in stitches, and I realized, hey, maybe I’m funnier than I give myself credit for.
Both experiences taught me so much about presence, vulnerability, and, honestly, just rolling with it. Whether it was delivering a heartfelt speech at Toastmasters or making up a ridiculous story on the spot in improv, I learned to embrace the moment, imperfections and all. And let’s be real—if you can talk about pickles in front of a crowd without dying of embarrassment, you can do anything.
The best part about both Toastmasters and improv was how they forced me to step out of my comfort zone and discover new sides of myself. I mean, who knew I could confidently tell a room full of strangers about my secret pickle apocalypse survival plan? It’s funny how these little moments of vulnerability have a way of building your confidence.
And here’s the thing: all of this—the nervous first speech, the improv chaos, even the awkward silences—helped me find my voice in a way I never thought possible. It’s that same voice you’ll hear in Diary of Clichés. Writing the book felt like a performance in its own right—each chapter a chance to connect, laugh, and maybe even cry a little with my readers.
If you’ve ever wanted to find your voice or tell your own story, I can’t recommend Toastmasters, improv, or even just journaling enough. And speaking of journaling, that’s where it all started for me. Putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) was the first step to creating something bigger.
That’s why I’ve partnered with a brand that makes incredible journals. They’re thoughtfully designed and perfect for capturing your stories, dreams, or even random improv ideas about pickles. If you’re ready to start your own storytelling journey, check out the link in my bio. Because trust me, you’ve got a story worth telling too.
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