Lessons learned - from a recovering 'nervous person'

Did you know I used to be a super nervous person?

I let my nerves rule my life and they held me back from really being who I wanted to be.

Even as a kid I didn’t talk. I’m not sure if this came from being dominated by my older sister who spoke for me or if it was just an in-built mechanism that came with me from birth. I know it can be definitely linked to my personality as what can be described as an introvert.

But that does not mean once I became an adult, I had to continue to be this way.

My nervousness showed up in ways like:

• Physical symptoms such as shaking voice, going red, dry mouth, heart racing, sweating, when asked to speak in front of multiple people...sometimes even one person!

• Choosing not to do something if it required feeling nervous, such as selling myself to a new employee.

• Talking to boys! Oh man, was I TERRIBLE at this! Little wonder I am even married!!

There were so many ways it showed up for me in my life.

But this is what I have learned.

You can be an introvert but still, speak up.

Just because you feel nervous, does not mean you are a nervous person.

Feeling nervous does not mean there is anything wrong with you.

If feeling nervous is stopping you from living the life you want, then it is time to figure out how to change how you think about it to keep you moving forward.

I now love to say I am a recovering nervous person.

I now have a lot to say, but once upon a time worried about what people would think of me. The more I thought that way, the worse my physical symptoms would persist! It was so counter-productive.

Now, I just do it anyway.

I know I am not broken or stupid or unworthy if I go red or stumble on my words.

I am just me. And that is all I need to be.

With this new understanding, I am now passionate about helping other women figure this out too. This is why I do what I do.

I want everyone to know themselves so well, nothing stands in their way.