postr/StutterAugust 26, 2021

Stuttering during presentation @ work

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Content

Stuttering during presentation @ work Today, I stuttered during a presentation at work over Zoom. I felt rushed because my presentation was at the end of an already long meeting and we were overtime. I know that feeling rushed makes me stutter more often but I still felt pressured to speak quickly. When one document didn’t load (even though I thought I had set it up) it totally threw me off. I started this job right at the start of the pandemic and still feel like I don’t know my coworkers. Even after a year and a half, I feel like I’m trying to impress them or prove my place. This presentation was to my bosses and new partners of the organization. I really felt like I had to do a good job and I tried not to over prepare out of the fear of sounding robotic but knowing exactly what I’m going to say is really helpful for me. Anyway, I just experienced a lot of blocking and had to take what I feel were awkward pauses. I felt like a failure. My stuttering has improved a lot since elementary school. I’m 27 now but those feelings of embarrassment and shame still flood me every time something like this happens. Stuttering makes me feel like I look dumb or inadequate. My anxiety doesn’t help. I’m trying to be kind to myself right now and just brush it off but it’s so hard. And others just don’t understand if you haven’t experienced stuttering or having to constantly monitor how you’re talking. I feel alone in this and ashamed but I remember there are people out there who are walking similar paths. Hope you’re all doing well ❤️

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceEmotional Experience

Subthemes

Anticipating StutteringAvoidance & SubstitutionHiding & ConcealmentOverthinking & MonitoringShame & EmbarrassmentAnxiety & Social Judgment

Codes (3)

telephone_videoemotional_statetime_pressure