Speaking To A Crowd Of Mosquitos

Daily writing prompt

What makes you nervous?

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Crowds make me nervous. More specifically, speaking in front of crowds of people. If my audience were a gaggle of geese or a pride of lions, nerves would be the least of my worries. But, with humans, the stares and attention they give seem almost personal and, at some point, judgemental. I freeze, and my voice becomes forced as though I’m trying to push the words out around a mouth full of cotton. It’s similar to being in a room filled with mosquitos—shudder.

As things go now, I practice in front of my parents or on video calls since it’s not as nerve-wracking. All I can say to others who share my trepidation is even if you stutter or freeze amid a speech, the best you can do is go for it. Have different color index cards ready, practice projecting your voice in front of your grandmother when she video calls, and practice in front of your dog, who just learned how to sit. Repetition truly does make a craft perfect in such situations.