From Stage Fright To Silent Strength

The little me would have been surprised to know that she, who herself fears being on stage and had stage fright for years, would be the motivation for someone to be the best version of themselves?

Last spring, during one of those very common university days, I stood in front of the class to announce that our professor had given us the topic to present next week, which, by the way, would have 30% of the sessional marks. After giving instructions to the class as a class representative chosen by the professor, I made my way out since the class was already over, but someone stopped me, one of the girls who had always sat by the side. She asked questions, like, how many marks can I obtain just for submitting the ppt and not presenting? Can I skip the class? Can the professor assign me something else instead? And a lot more… it was amusing to see her so nervous over a presentation… but it wasn't hard for me to guess she was not one of the people who love to present on stage in front of a lot of people.

Cut to the chase, the day of presentation, since I had to present in English, not in Urdu, which is my mother tongue, it was pretty nerve-wracking for me, but I did it way better than expected, because I did practice the whole last night… Soon after, each person came to present their own topic. When the girl I encountered last week came, it was finally her turn… When she started the presentation, she would say one line, pause, and swallow her fear before continuing.

As I sat right at the front seat, her gaze would meet mine every other second. The lights of the classroom were off, and no one's face was visible. Even after that, she was very stuffy. After sensing her visible hesitation, I started nodding to her every word with a smile on my face, even though we didn’t know each other; she fixed her gaze on my face, presenting her work, I tried to keep her mind off the fact that there are 60 plus students on the class with the Professor at the back listening to her work, soon she was very much comfortable and clearly completed her presentation… It reminded me that the slight support was enough for her to go through the entire time.

Soon, the professor started Q & A from her presentation. Her gaze was this time on the Professor, and it wasn't very calming, but after a little while, she was done. As she walked towards her seat, she passed me a smile and took her usual place.

Soon after the class ended, I was packing my bag when she walked up to me and politely whispered, “Thank you.” It took me by surprise because I didn’t think she would notice my gesture, and would actually come up to me… I replied and stood up. It was really awkward since she still stood there, and I didn't know what to say or do, but I decided to ask her to eat with me…

We sat at the bakery together and ate pizza, exchanged numbers, made small talk, and then I asked her why she was very nervous during the presentation…

She told me that even after practicing for half a day, she wasn't able to perform well, and hadn't, which is also why she did not want to give a present in the first place. I listened to her carefully and shared my story about how I used to avoid standing in front of the class, my hand would tremble before I even reached the pidium, how back then I wished for someone to simply sit in the front row and silently help me out… but then I improved, with time and efforts, by focusing on the topic, self talk about the work in front of the mirror, and if I'm still nervous at the stage, I'll look at the forehead of the audience, if they ask a question I would take a moment before answering, taking pause at last doesn't mean we give up… I gave her some tips, which would help her to work on her next stage.

That day, I realized that one single nod, a little hope for engagement, can boost the confidence of any person... It was also the time I realised how much my past professor helped me. She taught me to be calm, talk slowly, and take a deep breath before walking up to the stage, and if you feel nervous, look at the forehead of the audience and speak like it's your best performance yet to be done...

She was very comfortable and calm after we had a chat. Two weeks later, we had one more presentation to do... and the second she started presenting, she didn't search for my eyes. And that was the moment I felt really happy and proud, she no longer needed borrowed courage; she had found her own confident self.

I learned that empowerment does not always arrive through speeches or leadership titles. Sometimes it begins with a steady gaze and the willingness to sit with someone else's fear. That day, I understood that courage can be borrowed, but confidence is eventually built, and there is no greater peace than watching someone realize they no longer need you to believe in themselves.

It also taught me, sometimes with a little support, that just a spark can light the surroundings for the person who goes through a lot, how much content and peaceful you feel after being the shoulder to lean on for others. It's then you know the power of #GiveToGain.

I would like to hear your story. What made you feel content and at peace with the simple gesture of help?