Bonded By Stage Fright ~ A Companion of Panic Attack
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Have you ever felt you could play a particular role or solo a song or handle the worship and praise session in church on a Sunday service but just a few minutes before the commencement, you found yourself backing off and refusing to stand out and take the role?
You found yourself panicking, to the extent that you could hear your heartbeat so fast that it felt like your heart will run into your stomach and you end up giving the microphone to someone else to lead while you back up or you end up walking out of the auditorium while no one noticed so the role would be given to someone else to handle because you were nowhere to be found. Lol
I have gone through these three stages and more panicking episodes of mine that I can not even explain and many times it keeps me wondering is it alright for a singer to love just being a backup singer and not have any intention of being a lead singer because I enjoy just being a backup singer than taking a role to be a lead singer but unfortunately my crew and leader do not understand the panic attack that I go through any day I am asked to lead a song.
A few days ago, I was given the microphone to handle the worship session but a few minutes into the session, I handed the mic over to another crew of mine to handle the session while I did the backing up of the song for her. Even though our leader wasn't happy about what I did but I felt fulfilled just being backstage as a backup singer instead of being the lead vocalist.
Many times I have been laughed at how I constantly freak out when I am handed the microphone to lead a song even when I know the song perfectly even most times better than other people but then, I still can't see myself standing in the spotlight.
Many times I have been told the day before Sunday service that was going to be the one to handle the worship session in church but because I was already freaking out even before the day, I had stayed back from church or ended up going to church late because I do not want to be in the spotlight.
So how about you? Ever freaked out a few minutes before the time you were supposed to handle a song? What did you do? Did you run out, stay back from the program, or went to the program late so you won't be given the microphone to handle the session?
Hello @carlynn, your second image is not sourced. Is it an oversight or it's yours? Please address it.
I've been afraid of taking the lead role so many times. My heart is always pounding and my hands and voice are always Shakey but I'm the end I have to face it and do it regardless. I'm way better now though still not perfect. You really should snap out of stage fright, trust me you'll enjoy your role more. Goodluck!
I never sing, but I do have a similar experience as you when eg putting in front of a larger crowd, speaking. I may not frak out as you, but still, get the nerves. But I do know when I speak out my first sentence, I'm alright since when I'm in front of a crowd tasked to speak and try to invoke a discussion with the crowd, I know I know well enough the topics, and I know I can handle most of the questions, as well as I know I can loosen up the environment by making (appropriate) jokes. Anyways, it's perfectly ok not to want to be the lead singer. I suggest being clear you don't want that, and even you won't do it, whenever you are asked.