Nervousness

Why is it that sometimes we get nervous to speak in front of people? I mean it is something so simple and natural to speak so why do we make such a big deal about it?

I don't know why but when I get kind of nervous and I start stuttering and messing up, which brings out my Mexican accent. It's pretty funny because I don't really think that I have an accent, but for some reason it suddenly appears. I think I got this because of my friend who definitely had an accent when he talked in English, but when he had to talk to the whole class, it was ten times worse. And not only that, but he would forget how to make simple sentences and would end up turning them into Spanglish!

I really don't like the fact that nerves can get the best of us and work against us. Because I know from personal experience that letting nerves sabotage a performance is one of the ugliest feelings ever. I have had many embarrassing moments where my nerves made me do really dumb things. And not just in performances, but in my everyday life, like when i had to give a speech, or give my point of view on a topic in class, or when I finally talked to that cute boy that I had been crushing on.

But nerves shouldn't necessary be a bad thing that is working against us. Many people say that they have learned to use their nervousness in their favor, as they feel more alert, quick, awake, and open to what is happening around them. I have tried to think of my nerves as a good thing, and little by little I think that I have improved. At least I hope so. But to the people who are fearless, courageous, and confident in themselves most of the time, I want to ask: What is your secret?