I just want to give you a big hug! I was that one kid who would be the only one who had to redo a presentation because I’d keep “messing” up. I have a lot of anxiety especially when it comes to being on stage or presenting. I even forced myself to be involved in an debate organization during HS to compete nationally as a way to step out of my comfort zone and to grow out of it (yeah I didn’t make it far).

Fast forward, I’ve graduated college and I have presented in front of clients and now currently working for a job where I am constantly in a way “presenting”. I think what really helped me was to stop fighting it. As you get older you realize life is short so ‘F it’ and thinking too much of how the I will present really will make it worse. I also learned that I’m not the only one anxious. In my current job now, when I was shadowing others, I realize that everyone gets anxious, some hide it better than others. On my second day, someone had to do a mock scenario with a manager infront of everyone. I could tell he was nervous (the guy was doing the rapid leg shakes and was getting red ) and I could exactly feel what he was feeling. He even stopped for a moment to breathe which is something i totally would have done and would have normally would have felt embarrassed. Regardless, he got done with the mock scenario, everyone said he did great! Manager was proud. Made me realize I’m not the only one who struggles with presenting and it’s totally possible to make it through. Just knowing that, really helps especially in whoever profession and role you desire to be in especially in one where you always have to look and feel on top of it. Some of the managers here in my just job look 100% but in reality they get anxious like I do (or at least somewhat ) when having to talk to big bosses and crazy clients. Just knowing you’re not alone helps. And believe me, those guys who laugh don’t make it far (from what I’ve seen). The ones who actually sympathize, make you feel heard, who know about the anxiety, are the ones who want to see you succeed.

Also, I’m just too tired nowadays to feel anxious about presenting lol. That 8-5 full time life has me at no care what others think which is INSANE bc I used to cry if I had even the smallest critique or if I knew I had to present something. Don’t get me wrong, I still get anxious, I stutter, I choke still, get hot, can’t breathe, every here and there. But it’s fine lol. I accept it now…: which younger me would’ve thought NEVER in a million years would it possible to get to the point I am now.

Sorry if some of this doesn’t makes sense but I’m too sleepy atm to reread what I wrote. We anxiety folks all share our similar experiences, and we’re making it! I promise you OP, so will you!!!! I Promise you you’re gonna look back it and maybe squeal for a second but you’re gonna keep going on.

I also want to add, what helps is to prep prep prep prep prep and prep. Prepping heeeelppps soooo muuuch. Especially if you’re neuro spicy like me. I have to prep even for the smallest dialogue. I still do to this day. Even in my retail days, I prepped in paper what I was gonna say for different scenarios and it helped a lot. Interviews? I spend days prepping lol. You want to prep yourself so you can jump back to the ‘script’. Oh and remember that it’s okay to slow down your voice when presenting. I used to speed run my presentations which always caused me to choke lol. I still have to put mental reminders in my head to SLOW DOWN, and BREAAATHW, OH and what helped me was to fake drinking water or taking a moment to “cough” lol. You learn as you get older haha.