I sometimes sit and wonder how I went from singing, dancing and taking part in all on-stage related activities as a kid to hiding in the back seat when people are needed to represent a group or the school as a teenager.
Back in primary school, I would always make sure to be actively engaged in anything that has to do with a graduation or carols night event because I wanted to hop on that stage and do my thing. And oh,I loved the feeling of my parents and family coming to spread money on me on stage.😅
Then, fast forward to senior high school. I didn’t want to join the debate team or any club related to public speaking even though I knew I would be a perfect fit for the team. I wouldn’t even sit in the front row in class. You’d either find me hiding somewhere in the middle or in the back seat. Also, I would always someway somehow manage to fall sick on days we had to do a presentation so that I wouldn’t stand before others to speak.
From what I know, the fear of speaking in public is called glossophobia but I didn’t think that was my problem. I knew I was good at public speaking but how did I just start to shy away from it all of a sudden. Looking back, I’d like to believe it was because I lost a bit of self confidence and I allowed others to intimidate me. This made me always want to hide myself because I felt I wouldn’t be able to meet the requirements but it was all in my head.
In the university, I once got selected to do a presentation for a team and I straight out told the team leader I couldn’t do it. For a talkative like me, everyone was surprised to hear that from me. The team leader also told me that he wouldn’t let me sit and not do it because he knows I can do it and do it well.
The next day, I didn’t show up for our meeting. Guys, this team leader of ours came to my hostel to knock on my door. 😂 I wasn’t expecting him so when I just opened the door all I could say was ‘ Awanah, I can’t do it’. He laughed and told me to get ready cos he came to pick me up since I decided not to show up.
That day was my turning point. Within a twinkle of an eye, I got back to normal. Learning scripts and presenting like I wasn’t the same person who said I couldn’t do it. I look back and think about what would be of me if this young man who was our team leader didn’t believe in me and push me out of my shell. I also had supportive team members who were always ready to help you reach your target.
They’d make time to help me memorise my script, fix my standing position and even my general body movement. I don’t mean to brag, but my voice was already fire. I still needed to work on a lot of other stuff also. Soon enough, I wouldn’t say I became perfect,but I felt more like myself and started to talk in public freely.
With time , I found myself on big stages before big people and I made sure to leave my mark. Sometimes I get nervous and that’s fine, but that doesn’t stop me from delivering. No one is going to beat me for doing my thing, they are just as human as I am and I didn’t need any reason to feel less of myself. I am who I am and no one can take that from me.
Sometimes all we need is to have supportive people around us to bring us out of our shell and I was lucky to have that. Now, I also make sure to give back to others in any way that I can just like others did for me because we rise by lifting others.
all images belong to me.
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You should have locked your door and make sure you didn't respond to anyone until the presentation is over for that day because that is what I would have done. 😂😂
😂😂they will knock on your door till your ears hurt.
😅😅
So you were hiding all that abilities just for fear's sake, I think this attitude is common among young adults since most of us suddenly become introverted as we attain a certain age, but guess what? A star can't hide for long.
Shine on!
That’s right.😅 I’m shining as ever now.
God bless Awanah for that
If I knew he was the reason you went for that meeting, I would have voted for him as president 😂
Anyway, me de3 it’s your shoe for me in the first picture 😂
Look at you.😂😂😂
That was my salah shoe. Don’t joke kraa😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
I have this same fear while I was in my semi-final class in college. I was to represent my school in a poem recitation competition. It ought to be my first my first experience is such a.huge stage,I couldn't sleep throughout the night.
Luckily, I found confidence when I entered the stage and my schoolmates gave me a standing ovation.
I have since become a public speaker.
I’m happy you didn’t cry on stage. It would have been a disaster.😂😂
Ahahhaah.. Cry on stage? That would have messed up a lot of things. That opportunity was once in a lifetime kinda thing, I utilized it so well.
That’s good to hear. We show up and deliver when we have to.
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STOPI've almost the same fear too, no wonder we are husband and wife 😂. This is actually funny I must say. It's good to know you were able to overcome it.
Who’s husband and wife? Please be in your lane😂
Looking at your kind of job, there’s no way you can afford to have a fear in public speaking.
Are you trying to deny me now? Well I used to have the fear not anymore though.
I already denied you.😂😂
It’s good it’s not there anymore
You even did well by coming out.
If it was me, I wouldn't come out and you wouldn't see me until the program was over
Thank God ifs all over now
Haha, they will follow you till they kingdom come
😂😂😂
Hahaha aunty Nhaji01 can't find her house and had to shy away from showing up to a presentation she ought to anchor, well I can relate to your experience and had been there on several occasions, it's never really easy but I'm glad you were able to overcome via your team lead present and encouragement.
It wasn’t easy but but I eventually had to do it.
Me and public speaking are parallel lines. I hate it so much when I have no other option than to do it. And what annoys me most, I think I’m talking normal meanwhile my voice is breaking
😂😂😂it’s funny when you watch your speak after giving one. You’ll now be like what is this ?
😂😂 at this point, Awanah made you like Roxie. You became the girl with the big voice 😂😂.
I actually cannot believe you refused to do at first cos you are an excellent speaker and not the quiet shy type. You didn't join the debate team cos you decided to be in your stubborn girl era. 😂
You can imagine.😂😂
Please I’m a shy and quiet girl. You just don’t know .
Hehehe
Your voice is fire and I know that
But I love the first image used. It shows how resilient you have been since when you where a kid and you wanted to kill that fire😤😤😤🌚🌚
Thank God things didn’t turn out the way you want, now you’re a voice for hive in Ghana. Keep up the good work, I sure can learn one or two from you
😂😂 I see you’re trying to laugh at my shoe.
Amen ooo, I receive it all.
🤭🤭🤭