Sometimes when I read these prompts, I feel a little bit like a kid in a classroom, on receiving end of a question from a teacher.
And then when I think of an answer, I almost feel like I should raise my hand and be like, “Ooh! I know!”
I felt that way with this prompt once I figured out my answer.
For almost my whole life, I have felt super uncomfortable hearing recordings of myself or watching myself on video.
This worked out fine in the blogging world for a while, because we were all just typing words on a screen. But then video came into the picture, and I just could. not. imagine participating.
Just doing a quick Instagram video story felt a little bit terrifying to me.
But I have apparently done some slow and steady growing in this area, because this summer, I made multiple YouTube videos that involved me talking.
And when I made my food waste course, I made a video of me talking for almost every module.
To make those videos, I had to record myself and then hear myself over and over while I edited the clips together.
Five years ago, I would have hated that. But now, I guess I’ve sort of gotten used to the way I look and sound, and I am not miserably self-conscious about editing videos of myself.
I do still vastly prefer to type what I have to say, but I am happy that I CAN do videos now if I want or need to.
Getting used to watching video of myself requires overcoming multiple insecurities (Why is my mouth lopsided when I talk? Why do I make so many weird faces? My voice sounds weird! Do I look uncomfortable? Is my voice loud enough?), so this feels like a pretty big one to check off.
I used to hate hearing my own voice. But about 10 years ago I challenged myself by volunteering to narrate a software program for internal company training. It actually came out really well, and I even received compliments. Unfortunately, watching myself on video is still something I avoid whenever possible. lol
Asking questions!
When I was in 7th grade, oh so many years ago, I asked a question in science class, to the substitute teacher. ALL THE KIDS LAUGHED. The teacher didn’t, as well as telling everyone, that to NOT ask a question is worse than asking one that was weird or silly. BUT, still, the laughing got to me and kept me from asking a question for many years. Forward to 6 years being married, and I asked my husband a question and he got mad at me for interrupting what he was doing, for the 3rd time. So I sent him to live with his parents for the week, telling everyone we had chicken pox, which the kids did have! He has since helped me with every possible question I could have. We also told our girls that if we couldn’t answer their questions ever, that we would find someone who can. And I now ask more questions in public, and of people, or about things that just don’t make sense, until I feel satisfied that my question has been answered. I have had to learn to listen to how people talk to frame my questions, and sometimes it takes some people 2-4 ways to answer it, but they get there.
Public speaking! I was so shy when I was young. Not that this is quests easy now but it’s definitely a fear I’ve overcome. I’ve made that a goal for my kids to grow up not to have a fear of it. They don’t need to love it but they’ve been exposed to it snd can do it without panic and some of the kids are good at it. I did t want them having that awful feeling I did.
I think I’ve only watched one of your videos and I thought it was fine. But since you’re on the subject, I just wanted to say that I will be so glad when I can stop watching zoom, skype and facetime interviews on the news. Apparently lots of people don’t share your video insecurities and many should! 😉
I think screen grabs are terrible most of the times for everybody!! 😄
Serving in children’s ministry in preschool or elementary classes instead of just the nursery. Holding babies is my happy place! But this school year they had needs in other classes. I’m only serving once or twice a month, but I float between preschool, Pre-K, and elementary… Wherever the need is that day. The fun thing is that I have a child in each one of those classes, so I always have a kid that’s excited to have me in their class. That’s a good gift from the Lord!!