If you’re afraid to sing when other people are listening, telling yourself to “not worry about what people think” is not going to help. It’s like telling you not to think about the elephant in the room. Most of the advice on the internet, trying to help you with public speaking, stage fright and overcoming your singing shyness, is completely and utterly useless. People tell you to relax, stop thinking about other people’s opinions and remember that your unique voice is special. That’s all useless advice because you already know that stuff. You’re telling yourself that ‘everybody loves you’ and ‘everyone loves someone who is confident to sing’ and ‘everyone loves seeing someone get up there and try even if they suck’. If that advice actually helped you, you probably would have been able to help yourself right off the bat and you wouldn’t be Googling for more confidence.
When it comes to glossophobia (your fear of public speaking or singing) this is probably the only thing that is going to help you. Single minded focus. You are either going to disappear into your own creative flow and the rest of the world is going to fade away. You’ll be so consumed in your own vibes that the very notion of fear won’t cross your mind. You’ll be enjoying what you’re doing and feeling free and present. Alternatively, you’ll connect deeply with the audience, probably one person in particular. You’ll speak directly to them and feel the oneness that you share. Everything else in the world fades away.
Your stage fright is a paralysis that is fed by overthinking, too much stimulus. You’re simultaneously trying to focus on your speech or song while also juggling your observations of the room, your speculations at how you’re being perceived and generally freaking out because you’re freaking out. Downward spiral.
You need to close your eyes. Breath. Wiggle your left big toe. You need to slow down and listen closely to to the sounds you are making and the way the music or the words feel in your body. Let everything else get fuzzy and disappear into the background. This is the only way. You must become one with the music you’re creating out of pure love and joy. You must be connected to your deeper purpose in life. The WHY behind your singing. WHY do you want to be there. This is where you’re meant to be right now. This is where you belong. You are delivering a gift that we long for. Someone listening to you is so ready to receive what you are giving. Be there with them in this confidence. It’s beautiful. When you step into the flow, your performance becomes so much greater than you, so much more than you. It’s not about you anymore. It’s about a mystical shift of energy and something like stage fright just evaporates when a mighty power like that is allowed into the room. You’re the conduit, the channel. Let yourself be used.
LOVE
CHA🍍WILDE
