The Things That Scare You

I'm over here this week making videos for my first ever online course. I've put it off for over a month. It's finally time. Why the procrastination?

Well, I'm not super comfortable in front of the camera. I'm also not comfortable being the center of attention. Whether that's on a stage or at a party or in a video. At least, that's what I've always told myself.

And yet.

I was a belly dancer for 12 years. Not just a dancer, but a teacher too for a handful of those years. I got up on a lot of stages. Although never solo, always with a dance troupe of other dancers. Still.

I was also interviewed a couple times on our long-gone but once well-entrenched local cable channel. I didn't enjoy it, but I got through it. I've been on our local radio station too.

I've stood up in front of more classrooms than I can remember teaching English as a foreign language.

I've given trainings and presentations to small groups and large, in person and on zoom.

Yet still.

Despite my discomfort over the years, I've overcome it. I've gotten up there in front of others and did it anyway.

Maybe the story I've been telling myself all these years needs to be updated?

So I sat down today to record myself, talking to myself, which feels a little silly, but I knew I was going to do it again. I knew I had to overcome the thing that scares me.

And guess what? It's not so scary after all.

Surprise, surprise.

Why do I forget? Every. Single. Time.

That fear is persistent to be sure. But it doesn't seem to stop me. And I know I'll keep doing things that scare me. It's who I am. It's what I do.

What about you?

What scares you? What tricks or tactics do you have for overcoming your fear(s)? I'd love to know how others deal with it.

So, onto the rest of the videos this week! (My first every online course should be ready by the end of this month!!)

I can't wait to see what will come along to scare me next. Ha.

Screenshot from one of the videos I made today.