Glossophobia it is!
I believe being afraid of something is part of what makes us human beings. As adverse as fear has been tagged to be, it aids to life and living in general, in the sense that it tends to make us much more thoughtful, cautious and also grateful for the things we have. And the life we're living.
A life where people have nothing to be afraid of and just given the privilege to live as carefree and equally careless as they so wish does not promote the importance and value of life. But the presence of a fear balances things up.
Everyone is afraid of something no matter how small or silly the substance of fear happens to be and you can't tell me otherwise. As long as a certain thing gives you a scare, makes you nervous, sweaty, nauseous or even on the verge of tears, then it's nothing but a fear.
And I've come to know that, being afraid of something is not a cause to be demure about or ashamed of.
Maybe my thumbnail gave it away or maybe not but I'm afraid of public speaking and thanks to the prompt, I got to know there's a scientific name for it, Glossophobia.
There's something about having to stand on stage with or without a microphone, right infront of different age groups from children to teenagers and adults, obviously saying one rubbish or the other (on my part) that never ceases to sends shivers down my spine.
I'm not someone who fancies all eyes on me so being placed infront of an audience with a million eyeballs all looking at me has been my worst nightmare over the years.
I love speaking infront of a little group of friends, classmates and my family but anything more than that is a whole different story.
I still remember the first time I was placed on stages to make presentations I had been practicing enthusiastically for weeks, only for me to get to stage and stand still....... scratch that, I started shaking like a leaf, heart beating five times faster than normal and eventually began shedding tears.
The subsequent times were not any better either. That was back then in primary/basic school. I was selected by the class teacher to read the welcome address on graduation day.
Within few days, I had memorised every single vocabulary written down on the paper and knew it by heart. But the moment the time came for the speech and I timidly walked to the podium, I felt eyes around me and immediately wished for the ground to open up and swallow me.
Worst still, my school sets up events on the vast field it has in its glory with tables and chairs arranged in a circular pattern while the stage takes a position in the centre. So you can imagine the amount of fear that gripped my little self.
Over the years, I've tried fighting this fear of mine, following up tips and ideas and suggestions on how to overcome it. Though there has been a difference, an atom of the fear is still sitted right within.
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Thanks to children church when we are young, they try for us. One reading one memory verse to another in church in the front it really helped us. You can start by standing in front of the mirror and present, you can even record yourself to see how you do.
I actually attended children classes then. Just that we didn't do individual presentations 😢. I'll try that out and see if it helps.
Thanks for popping in.
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Thank you 😊
How interesting that I got to learn there’s actually a term for public speaking from this post!
You see, this is something that isn’t discussed as often as it should be, and I honestly don’t know why since so many people struggle with it. While the fear of speaking in front of a crowd can be excused as a child, it becomes a real challenge when you’re an adult who still can’t get past it. How do you then advocate for a good cause in public? How do you show up for yourself and seize opportunities that require speaking to others?
These are questions I often ask myself, especially now that the world seems to favor those who can speak up in public spaces. Introverts barely get the opportunity to just be themselves anymore, and I wonder what that means for people still struggling with this fear. Regardless, I’m really glad you’re working on it and I’m genuinely rooting for you.
Same here...
I totally agree with you. You know at first, I told myself it was something time, or specifically age would wave away but I was damn wrong. The story is still the same. Just that I don't shed tears or faint, lol.
But I jumble my words and bite my tongue a couple of times in the process, breathing like one who ran a marathon.
I'm trying my very best to work on it. Personally, I'm not a social person. I don't walk up to people and begin conversations and all that so having to speak publicly takes a toil on me. But I will get there......... Thanks a bunch 💕.
I can very well relate to this, the fear of standing on stage, in front of crowds.
It's good to see you brave enough to admit it and the fact that ya still working in it.
Thanks for sharing.
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It runs in the genes then 😉
Oh yes I am...... I refuse to give in to my fear and it's possible effects...... My pleasure 😊.
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Alright sissy 😗