When I was 17 years old, we were assigned to create a short 2-minute speech about ourselves. We were going to present it in front of class and my head was already turning.

Up to this point, I was never an amazing presenter. I was fidgety and stuttered on stage. Worst of all, I had massive stage fright. I refuse to take the stage.

However, this was a new environment. No one knows me and I can be anyone who I can think of. Knowing this was an opportunity, I prepared as if my life dependent on it.

To some this would be nothing short of easy, but for me, this was one of the biggest challenge that I would be facing yet. I’ve already accepted the fact that I might suck, but I continued and wrote my piece till I was prepared.

I practiced multiple days ahead of the speech. Trying to perfect my delivery.

Then it was the day. I was nervous and my palms were sweaty. We were outside the corridor, and I looked over the glass frame on the door as I saw my classmate do his piece. I couldn’t hear him but I bet he was doing well.

He got off stage and waves of emotions drew down on me. I felt paralyzed and my mind went blank. Noticing this, I took a huge deep breath and entered the room with pretend confidence like I rehearsed for multiple days ahead.

I walked over to the stage and overlook my crowd. I don’t know what it is, but all of it looks black. It’s as if darkness wants to swallow me whole. I almost gagged, but no. I stood my ground and I prepared long and hard for this.

I don’t want to be the scared person anymore. I don’t want to be held back by the stage. I wanted to scream and shout. I don’t want to be judged by my lack of confidence.

I closed my eyes, acknowledging the nervousness in me. I absorbed it. Felt it. I released another deep breath and turned my off my brain and let my body do the work.

I would have to trust myself now.

I spoke without stop. I spoke with authority. My voice deep like I practiced. Spoke the lines of my script like I practiced.

I was having an out of body experience. My voice was right. My pacing was right. Everything was right. I didn’t even think. I was letting my body do whatever it wants. For all the days preparing for this moment, bloomed a performance that I could only imagine.

I couldn’t believe this was coming from me. It came from me who was paralyzed by stage fright and lack of confidence all my life. I felt liberated. I felt that I could hold the word. This was what the feeling of being free was like. It was addicting.

Looking back at the recording, I wasn’t amazing as I seemed. I still stuttered. I didn’t look at the audience. I rushed some bits. I failed on some parts, but the message was delivered.

But, I didn’t care about that. I was so happy inside that I finally proved myself that I can be free from my fear. I can be anyone who I assumed I can be.