Hi guys! So as you know, I’ve been wanting to expand my blog and make it more personal. I thought a good way to start would be talking about a fear of mine: public speaking.
Last week I had all of my final exams, and one of them was giving a three to five minute persuasive speech on a topic of my choice. This one gave me the most anxiety by far.
For my topic, I chose book banning in schools, and why I’m against it (possibly a post for another day). I had strong points, credible sources, and my practice time was 4:30. I knew I was ready, but I had the worst anxiety.
We started presenting on Monday, but I didn’t volunteer. Luckily my name wasn’t called either. I have this unexplainable quirk where I just can’t present on the first available day. It’s totally illogical, but I can’t help it. It’s just how I am, I guess.
On Monday night, I swore I’d go on Tuesday just to get it over with. As long as I wasn’t first or last to go (another weird thing I have), I’d be fine.
Then Tuesday morning came. I woke up feeling good and confident, but as I got ready, I started to feel queasy. I managed to eat breakfast and got to school, but all morning I felt worse and worse. I refused to go home though. I didn’t want a repeat on Wednesday morning.
Finally my English class rolled around, and I signed up to go fourth. My turn came too quickly, and let me just say- standing up in front of the dead-quiet class with everyone watching you is one of the worst things ever.
I got through it, but I messed up. Of course, I was the only one that noticed, because I always pick everything I do apart and focus on the negative. It’s not intentional, but it can’t be helped. (double negative, don’t care, haha) I accidentally left out a portion of my second point and I sped up my words, which caused my speech to clock in at 3:50 rather than 4:30. I still got an A and I’m super happy about that, but I’m also criticizing myself more than I should be.
Stuff like this happens every time I have to do any sort of major presentation or speech. Worse yet, I can’t do anything to prevent or even lessen my public speaking anxiety. So, as you’ve probably figured out, I’m not a fan of any form of public speaking.
Do you also have public speaking anxiety? If you do, is it bad like mine? If you don’t, do you have any tips to get over it? Feel free to start a conversation in the comments. 🙂 *just don’t be rude*
I should be done with The Kiss of Deception soon, so hopefully my review can be written and posted at some point tonight. 😉
Until next time- Olivia ❤
Haha don’t worry! I love public speaking- am not shy at all and once we did a mock election at school and the candidate had to do a debate and 5 minute long speech. I was the candidate. I would suggest that you try breathing and remember that you are fabulous even though you are not as loud as other people. It’s okay to not want to be in the spotlight! Xxx
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Aw thank you! I wish I had that kind of courage. 🙂
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Haha everyone has different strengths. For instance I’m hopeless at sports. Absolutely terrible.
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I am too! XD
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Haha we’ve got that in common too! Xx
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Haha, yes we do! 😀
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I have social anxiety so I hate public speaking. The last time I had to do one I had such a bad anxiety attack I had to go to the hospital because I had really high blood pressure (160 over 11) and my heart was beating crazy fast (150 beats per minute). So yeah I’m terrified of public speaking XD Luckily my teacher left me for the last day of school so there were only 5 more people with me. It still messed up but I got a 15 out of 20 which I guess is like B or something…
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Omg that’s terrible!! I only get anxious when I have to give a speech or something. I generally don’t have a problem talking to people one on one or in small groups.
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I don’t have a big problem talking to people one on one or in small groups as long as I know them but I’m in a new class and I didn’t really know the people that were with me. And then I get nervous because I know I’m being evaluated 😅
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I totally understand that. I’m the same way.
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I have terrible public speaking anxiety. The worst thing is when my English teacher takes points off for playing with my hair or swaying!
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That’s the worst! My English teacher isn’t quite that strict, but she does tell us not to fidget.
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