How to deal with public speaking?
Hi everyone
I've always struggled with speaking in groups or presenting projects in class. It's like I don't know how to talk or act when more than one person is paying attention to me. I can speak just fine one-on-one, but when it's two or more people, I freeze up and go silent, act awkward just nodding or something similar
Does anyone has any tips on how to deal with it?
@violetaEffrayante
Hello Violeta❤️
I've been through the same situation. But now I'm able to speak in front of people easily. It sounds like you're experiencing something a lot of people go through, and I completely get how frustrating and anxiety-inducing that can be. Speaking to a group can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re comfortable in one-on-one situations but struggle when the attention increases.
Here are a few ideas that might help:
Practice in smaller groups- Start by practicing with two or three people you trust. Gradually work up to larger groups so you can ease into it.
Focus on breathing- When you feel yourself freezing up, taking slow, deep breaths can help calm your nerves.
Prepare talking points- Before a group presentation, jot down a few key things you want to say. That way, even if you feel nervous, you have a mental guide to follow.
Eye contact trick- Instead of looking at everyone at once, try focusing on just one person at a time while speaking. It might make it feel more like a one-on-one conversation.
Be patient with yourself- Progress may be slow, but with practice, it does get easier.
Is there anything in particular about group situations that makes you feel more nervous or stuck?
@dtanushree Thank you for the help :)
I think what makes me more nervous is people staring at me
@violetaEffrayante
Yep, I had that same fear. Then I realised that I'm no special and no one is really staring at me lol. Even if I stutter it doesn't matter because what people think isn't really important. 😅This realisation takes time. Take one step at a time. Practice speaking at your own pace and you'll definitely get the results ❣️
@violetaEffrayante
I totally understand where you’re coming from, speaking in groups can be really nerve-wracking! Try practicing with friends to build your confidence and and if you freeze up, don’t hesitate to pause for a moment and take a deep breath.
Remember, it’s okay to feel anxious and you’re not alone in this!
@Phoenixthepoised thank you :)
@violetaEffrayante
I can relate to this and I think it's pretty common. I personally get cotton mouth when public speaking 🤣
It sounds like maybe your anxiety gets heightened in group situations, which then affects your ability to communicate.
Sometimes it's got to do with fear of being judged or sometimes shyness. Would you say it has to do with either of these things? Perhaps if you can get to the root cause of the anxiety, then you can challenge that specific worry 🙂
@Frankie111 Thank you :)
I think I have more fear of being judged, I don't think I'm really shy
@violetaEffrayante
That’s good that you can pinpoint that. You can now true to make a mental shift. You could try to question the thought, challenge the thought, replace the thought i.e. I’m going to have fun with it and not take it too seriously.
Everyone says they are afraid of public speaking. Some of us truly are. We would rather run our car in a ditch to get out of standing up before others. Would rather get in a fist fight we know we can't win. Would rather do just about anything but..
@Gettingbettertoday Definitely! I think it is a very common fear since most people have to go through it at some point, but can affect people in different ways or levels
@violetaEffrayante
I’ve been dealing with this too. Currently it’s not as bad as it used to be. So still working on it. What’s been helpful to me is practicing in front of as many people you can gather at once but you MUST be comfortable with speaking in front of all of them. That is the catch. If you’re uncomfortable trying that then go to YouTube and look this up there to see if there’s any tips you’re comfortable trying to see if they’ll help you or talk with a therapist about this and ask them for tips and see if the advice they give you is comfortable for you to try out. Lmk how it goes! Good luck! You got this 👍👍!!
@akunknown Thank you for the advice :)
@violetaEffrayante
No problem! Hope it works for you if you try it ❤️
@violetaEffrayante Alot of people struggle with public speaking, myself included. Breathing techniques are especially helpful and if you regularly practice slow breathing it will be more helpful when you are feeling anxious. Have you tried practicing your speeches before delivering them? Also could you gradually increase the difficulty of the task so you can gradually face your fear so its not so overwhelming?
I'm totally finding myself here. I freeze up and just go mute when there are 2 or 3+ people turning their attention to me. It's definitely because I'm afraid of being judged and I just start blushing.
I would love to find a solution of how to help myself
