The moments leading up to a public event are the worst. As the minutes tick by and I realize there’s no getting out of it, that it’s too late to reschedule or call in sick, I’m filled with dread.
The physical symptoms start to consume me — the spinning head, the upset stomach, the heavy breathing that often leads to full-out panic.
By the time I arrive at the event, the shield goes up. My therapist likes to call this the duck on water; the duck is paddling across a lake, its body seemingly gliding effortlessly across the surface while its feet are kicking non-stop below the water, trying to get the duck from point A to point B.
Read more on themighty.com