Two weeks ago, I stepped onto a stage for the first time.
Seven minutes later, I spilled white wine all over myself.
It happened during our live No, You Go-inspired show in Vancouver, as I was fumbling to pull my mic off the stand. My cheeks turned hot, my mouth went dry, and I started to feel exposed. But then I looked over at Sara and out to the crowd, and realized we were all laughing together. I also realized it was exactly what our show is about: being real, continuing to try if you stumble, and trusting the folks who have your back.
Public speaking isn’t something I’m particularly fond of or great at. There’s a good reason, I mean—I haven’t done it that much! I haven’t had a lot of practice or developed those muscles. Yet. For a very long time, I thought getting up in front of a group of people to talk would only ever feel like sweaty palms, a racing heart, and just trying to get through it.
But, in the span of exactly one week last month, I managed to get on stage to do a show, and I also co-presented a workshop to a room full of dozens of people. While I did both of these things with an amazing copilot (*ahem 👋 Sara), I wasn’t any less nervous. But I also wasn’t scared. I hadn’t expected for that to be the case, and I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to find a little comfort in that difference.
I still get nervous when I embark on something new or unknown—a podcast, speaking, being more visible with my work and life. I still get anxious about spending time outside of my comfort zone. But I’m not scared. I know I don’t have to be, as long as I trust myself and the badass women in my corner.
I’m going to practice my public speaking more, and I hope I get to do another live show (fuck, I actually really liked that). But I only feel confident enough to keep practicing and trying, because I know I won’t be alone.
Along with actually kinda being excited to get back on stage, I’m also pretty pumped about a few things coming up this fall:
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