How many zooms do you attend where you, (and others!) have your camera turned off? And the reason is not so much your background, but more how much you hate looking at yourself on the screen?

If you have you ever cringed at the sound of your voice on a recording or felt uncomfortable watching yourself on video, even just on zoom, know that this is a very common phenomenon. In fact, most people experience discomfort when faced with their own voice or image, to such an extent that they don’t use their photo in the LinkedIn profile, or have never sent a voice note on WhatsApp.

If you’ve ever heard your voice on a recording or watched yourself on video and thought, “Is that really how I sound or look?” you’re not alone. Many people feel uncomfortable when confronted with their own voice or appearance. But why does this happen, and how can you overcome these fears – especially if you’re thinking of marketing yourself with reels or starting a podcast?

Why We Hate Hearing Ourselves on Recordings

One of the main reasons we hate the sound of our own voice on a recording is because we hear it differently when we speak. When you talk, you hear your voice in two ways: through air conduction (the sound waves traveling through the air) and bone conduction (the vibrations in your skull). Bone conduction makes your voice sound richer and deeper inside your head.

However, when you hear your voice on a recording, it’s only through air conduction, and this results in a higher-pitched, thinner version of what you’re used to. This mismatch between the voice we expect to hear and what we actually hear causes discomfort and often makes us cringe at the sound of our own voice.

Why We Don’t Like Seeing Ourselves on Video

When it comes to seeing ourselves on video, it’s often due to the mere exposure effect. This psychological principle suggests that we tend to prefer things we’re familiar with. Since we see ourselves in the mirror daily, that version of ourselves (flipped, symmetrical, and controlled) is what we expect. But on camera, we see ourselves from different angles, in various lighting conditions, and without the control we’re used to. This creates discomfort because the image doesn’t match what we’ve grown accustomed to in the mirror.

Negativity bias also plays a role here. We tend to focus on the things we don’t like about our appearance or the way we sound. We might zoom in on our perceived flaws, whether it’s our facial expressions, posture, or even the pitch of our voice, instead of appreciating what we bring to the table.

How to Overcome the Fear of Hearing Your Voice and Seeing Yourself on Camera

The good news is, the discomfort you feel is completely normal—and it’s something you can overcome with practice. The more you hear your voice or see yourself on camera, the more you’ll get used to it, and eventually, that initial shock will fade.

Building courage to face these fears is essential, especially if you want to share your message through a podcast. Courage isn’t about eliminating fear, but rather about taking action despite it. In fact, the key to overcoming these insecurities is consistent practice and self-compassion. The more you expose yourself to hearing your voice and seeing yourself on video, the more familiar (and less intimidating) it becomes.

Turning Discomfort into Confidence

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast but fear how your voice sounds or how you appear on camera, the best way forward is to take small, courageous steps. Begin by recording yourself a few times, even if it’s just for personal use. As you build this habit, your confidence will grow.

In the Podcasters’ Courage Circle, we guide you through this exact process – helping you overcome fear, build confidence, and master both the mindset and technical skills needed to launch your podcast. We focus on developing your unique voice, banishing imposter syndrome, and making the tech side of podcasting simple and accessible.

Make 2025 the year you start your Podcast

Imagine working on your podcast, having it live in 2025, sharing your voice and message confidently. In just 10 weeks, you can go from zero to published, with your first 10 episodes planned and ready to share. The discomfort you feel now will turn into confidence as you learn how to record, edit, and publish your podcast, while growing your personal brand and making an impact.

Are you ready to overcome your fears and launch your podcast? The Podcasters’ Courage Circle is limited to just 8 participants, and it’s designed to help you build the courage and skills you need to succeed. Don’t let fear of your own voice or appearance hold you back any longer- your message is worth sharing.

Apply HERE Now and start your podcasting journey with the next group.

Key Takeaways:

  • The fear of hearing your own voice or seeing yourself on video is a normal psychological response.
  • Familiarity (through practice) helps ease discomfort over time.
  • Courage is the key to taking action despite fear, and consistent practice builds confidence.
  • The Podcasters’ Courage Circle offers a step-by-step, supportive environment to help you go from fear to a live podcast in just ten weeks.