Yesterday, I had the opportunity to teach a lesson in Relief Society. (I have been subbing since they are missing a teacher.) The lesson was on missionary work. I had prepared well, I had studied, searched and written down my plan for the lesson. I was prepared . . .
But for SOME reason, no matter how much I prepare for a "performance" whether it be teaching, speaking, or singing -- my body ALWAYS responds in a "fight or flight" way. I have sung in public hundreds of times, I have spoken in front of people a bunch of times, and I have taught A LOT! And I actually LOVE doing all of these things. I like to "perform". I enjoy it. I even volunteer myself to teach, anytime. I get excited about singing, speaking, teaching. I dare say I LOVE to preform, when I am well prepared.
SO WHY DO I STILL GET NERVOUS?!
WHY DOES MY BODY STILL FREAK-OUT?!
As I was teaching the harmless ladies of the Relief Society, and while reading a story -- my mouth got so dry that I started making this weird mouth-smacking noise (you know what I mean?) my mouth was SO dry -- painfully dry -- I wanted to barf. (I know, too much info!) Seriously, I think I understood the "burn" that Edward feels in his throat when he is around Bella. (I am assuming you know a little something about Twilight?)
So, in a very out-of-character way, I actually said out loud, "Does your mouth ever get so dry that you can hardly talk?" I got a few chuckles from the ladies and then I went on with the lesson.
And then, not two moments later, a few ladies had run out of the room and returned saying, "Ta-Da!" They held a glass of water, offering it to me for relief. (It is not called Relief Society for nothing!) And so, once again, very uncharacteristic of me -- I drank it in front of everyone! It really helped a lot!
The lesson went on, and it went well. I love to have people engaged and involved in the lesson -- lots of comments and discussion is how I do things. It was great . . .
But when I got home I had to wonder why? Why do I STILL get nervous? I mean, really? I am 31 years old, not a teenager! I have given birth, broken boards with my hands, sung solos in front of hundreds of people. So what's the deal? In some respects, my body's responses seem to get WORSE with age?! Mostly dry mouth. And I mean DRY mouth. NO moisture. It drives me nuts! Aargh.
So, I briefly mentioned it to some ladies after class and they all claim to have some sort of weird body response when they teach: sweating even when it is cold, skin turns a bright red, shaking knees, butterflies, etc, etc.
I am glad I am not alone in my nervous/excited response. No matter how excited I am too do something, and no matter how ready I am -- the dry mouth comes. Blah. It is pretty ridiculous. How about you? Do you get stage fright?? Or rather "performance anxiety"?
Also, any suggestions about performing and dry-mouth? I think chewing gum would be a little tacky, and sucking down water while singing is not really an option . . . ;-)
MARI!
ReplyDeleteI am teaching a Relief Society Lesson this upcoming Sunday! AH! I am REALLY nervous. I love getting up and talking and performing but i ALWAYS have this churning in my stomach.
Jenny, I am SURE you are going to do awesome! You just have this special way about you -- you suck people into your sunshine. :-) When you're stomach starts churning, just think of me, and you will feel all better. ;-) wink! Love you!
ReplyDeleteAlways happens to me when I play the piano for a choir performance! It makes me so mad because I'm not nervous--my body just thinks I am! I actually did better than usual the last couple times, so maybe I'm finally growing out of it? Or I just got lucky.
ReplyDelete“Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain” Emerson
ReplyDeleteIf you have the opportunity, teach more lessons. Sunday School, Relief Society, whatever you can get. I am one of two Elders Quorum teachers so I teach at least twice a month. The first couple of times were nerve wracking. Now, not so much.
Too true, Kaleb. I taught YW for 3 years and all nerves/anxiety disappeared. But I have only taught (subbed) Relief Society maybe 4 times -- it is still a new experience. Plus teaching eager-to-learn youth is different than teaching women who obviously have more life experience/knowledge! I do love it though! That is the weird thing.
ReplyDeleteI also used to sing ALL the time and I was not afraid, but now I rarely sing in public and it seems that my nerves really get the best of me, especially right before a performance.
I just need to start doing these thing more often and I should be able to conquer my weird body responses. That is, if my body will listen to my mind! :-)
I teach Relief Society again in a few weeks . . . it will be a good test of conquering my nerves!