Over the weekend, I spoke about journaling and my self-publishing journey in-person in front of a small group of women. 
Prior to presenting, I asked the audience to take a deep breath with me. 
The few seconds that I took out to deep breathe really helped me calm down and center myself. 
There was nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. I was happy that I was open enough with them to share my nervousness.
It takes a lot to be vulnerable and open. It also allowed me to be comfortable enough to show up just as I was.
Anyway, I appeared confident, presented and spoke well! 
Afterwards, I thought to myself I sucked because there were a few points that I missed. 
Maybe I didn’t present long enough. 
I was up there for about 5 minutes. I should have presented longer!
Maybe I didn’t deliver my message clearly enough, they didn’t quite understand, or just weren’t interested. 
I analyzed both what I presented correctly and what I forgot to mention.
Then I reminded myself that it was my first in-person event and that I would get better with practice.
And as usual, I’m resilient and fear may trip me up, but it won’t stop me.
Something really funny happened the same night of the event. The host gave out raffle tickets, so attendees had a chance to win one or a few of the various prizes.
I put my hand in my back pocket to find my raffle ticket. It wasn’t there! I thought I had lost my ticket.
Then a lady at the event told me that she saw my ticket fall into my boot while I was presenting. I sat down and put my hand in my left boot. The ticket wasn’t in there.
Then I checked the other boot. I said to myself, it’s not in there. Then I felt around the boot on the inside ankle area and there it was. I found it!
I thought to myself, I’m not going to win anyway.
The last 3 numbers of the ticket were read out loud and guess what? I WON! I couldn’t believe it! I jumped up with excitement and ran to show my ticket to the announcer.
If I didn’t find the ticket in my boot, we would have never known who won.
And the best part is that I won a FREE massage! If you weren’t aware, massages are great for stress and anxiety. Who would have thought that a lost boot ticket would win me a free massage?
It’s like the universe was on my side! Get this girl a massage! I’ll be going for my massage soon!
Social Anxiety is extremely common, especially at gatherings and on the job. I myself avoided public speaking for years, but not anymore.
It’s very important to reduce or eliminate avoidance behaviors because it only makes anxiety worse.
It will take some practice and facing your fears one step at a time.
If you are dealing with Social Anxiety, you are not alone. I see you, and I know exactly what you are going through.
Which is why I created the Surviving Social Anxiety Guide. When you have a dream and a goal that you want to achieve, it becomes much bigger than anxiety.
You can survive Social Anxiety too. Grab the guide, HERE.
