So I have an announcement to make…
It’s Spooky Season and I’m proud to say that this season I’ve chosen to conquer one of my biggest fears. After months of researching and admiring the Minding Your Mind organization from afar, I’ve decided to become a Minding your Mind Young Adult speaker.
What is Minding your Mind?
Minding Your Mind is an organization dedicated to reducing mental health stigma through education. They provide educational programs to encourage dialogue about mental health awareness, treatment, and risky behavior prevention. I will be coming on board as a young adult speaker to share my mental health journey at various schools in the Northeast.
I am excited and eager to begin this process. But to be frank, I am also terrified. Heart palpitations, sweaty hands, and stuttered speech are just some of the anxiety symptoms public speaking triggers in me, especially when I’m put on the spot. However, I’ve always admired public speaking as an art form. I can recognize the skill and brilliance it takes to win over and connect with just one person in an audience.
Why am I doing this?
As some of you may know, I’ve spent the past two years as an educator at a middle school. Whenever I got the chance, I was transparent with my students about my experiences as a middle schooler with social anxiety. Being able to relate to students while normalizing tough conversations about mental health was something I always looked forward to. I hoped my vulnerability would help them feel comfortable continuing the conversation with peers and encourage them to tap into their own mental wellbeing.
It’s a blessing to now have the chance to continue this conversation with a broader audience while also getting a healthy dose of exposure therapy each time I step on stage. I’ve been encouraged to approach each presentation with a curious and light-hearted disposition; releasing any and all expectations to make room for teachable moments.
About Me!
While public speaking isn’t something I’ve regularly practiced in recent years, this next step is a natural progression. I credit my mother for introducing me to public speaking. As a child, my mom was a playwright and community leader. She would orchestrate plays for nearly every occasion that we’d perform at our church and other venues. This provided me with many opportunities to develop my skills. Whether it was in church reading scripture, or reciting lines in her annual Black History Month plays, she cultivated in me the confidence to speak in front of crowds big or small. As I got older, I began to shy away from public speaking, but this new chapter feels like a return to my roots.
The Process
Anxiety aside, I’ve had a lot of other concerns and questions come up. I’ve wondered if my story will resonate with students. What if I completely bomb a presentations out of nervousness? I’ve imagined the disappointment of failing to hold the attention of an audience. I’ve read and listened to the climactic and redemptive stories of other Minding your Mind speakers and had doubts as to whether my story is compelling enough in comparison. Most of all, I’ve had to consider that while the experiences of others in my life have impacted me, I may not be permitted to include their stories in the retelling of my own.
Thankfully, the Director of Training, Jordan Burnham has seamlessly addressed any and all concerns I’ve had and assuaged most of my anxieties. Our training sessions have been incredible so far. He’s encouraged me to dig deeper while respecting my boundaries. He’s assured me that my story can and will connect with listeners from all backgrounds. I’ve learned that even connecting with just one student during a presentation is more than I could ask for.
In Conclusion…
I wouldn’t consider taking this on if I didn’t genuinely believe in the mission of Minding Your Mind. Listening to Jordan’s story and the stories of other speakers has absolutely blown me away and I’m grateful to be a part of something so impactful. I deeply appreciate the Minding your Mind team and all who have supported me up to this point. I can’t wait to share what’s to come, so please stay tuned!
