Express Yourself Freely

Back to all Stages

Task

In this step, youth recognise the most known obstacles for creative expression – shyness and lack of self-confidence and learn how to overcome them. Those are the dark sides further producing fear of making mistakes and the judging of others. The emphasis is not on strengthening self-confidence, but on finding new positive personality traits that can equally successfully contribute to the presentation of your ideas without increased feelings of anxiety and fear.

By completing this step, you should be able to:

  • not be shy to admit and talk about own mistakes and lessons
  • apply the learned improvisation tools in everyday life
  • practice and experience expressing yourself freely in a safe environment and be able to transfer the knowledge to everyday life

Good to know

Fear of public speaking is common for 75% of people! The most common manifestations are related to the functioning of our nervous system.
We feel increased anxiety as an accelerated heartbeat, breathing, sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, stabbing in the chest, hot flashes. The easiest way we can help is to balance the breath.

Box breathing

INHALE through the nose,
EXHALE through the nose or mouth.

1st option: Inhale: count to 4, exhale: count to 4 (minimum 8 cycles)

2nd option: Inhale: count to 4, breath hold: count to 4, exhale: count to 4 (minimum 6 cycles)

3rd option: Inhale, breath hold, exhale, breath hold each counting to 4 (minimum 4 cycles)

Glossophobia – fear of speaking in public

Tools

The time for each activity depends on the specifics of the situation. The description indicates the minimum estimate, which can be adjusted according to the possibilities. It is advised not to change the order of the tools. If you have to choose only one of the tools, we recommend N# 2 “I have a voice”.

Methodological material

Next step – Part 2 – Interests revised