Confidence issues

[chantellehugs]

I don't know how this is going to sound, but I'm a bit worried about my confidence and just overall 'ability' to talk to people. In school I'm quite the joker, but it's usually by doing something stupid, as in I don't always intentionally mean to make people laugh, but I could never actually try and make people laugh intentionally, like I wouldn't just tell jokes to the class to get them to laugh or anything. Obviously I know most teenagers wouldn't do this, they just like to get on quietly, but I feel I hold back all the time, like I can't do the things I should because of confidence. I wanted to audition for the school play at school, just as an extra, but I was scared people would laugh or I'd mess up on the night of performance and it's really frustrating, because at home when the house is empty, I don't feel nervous or anything if I'm just practising (But most people aren't nervous at home anyway, right?). I don't feel comfortable telling people my aspirations or what I'd like to try out, because I think they'll just laugh. I just want to say to people 'This is what I want to do.'. My chosen career path is film and media, and I'm set on following it, but I'd like to try out different aspects, such as Acting, Directing and stuff, but I'm so NERVOUS all the time that I don't see it happening :(
And to make matters worse, we have an english oral exam next week, and everyone has an interview with our teacher and we have to talk for 7 minutes! This is the sort of thing I want to be able to do, but I'm worried, because I don't usually talk about myself for such a long time.

I just want to be myself around everyone, but I can't..
Does anyone else feel like this?

[Bun]

it's natural to feel like that, especially with acting et al. you're going to hate me for saying this but your best bet is to try overcome your fears.

[chantellehugs]

it's natural to feel like that, especially with acting et al. you're going to hate me for saying this but your best bet is to try overcome your fears.
I'm going to try taking it a step at a time, like start off with something small like maybe offering to read in class? And then maybe move onto something a little bit bigger. :)

[Smits]

i know how you feel, i mean i'd say i'm confident and wouldnt mind talking in front of class or anything like that, but approaching people and meeting new people, i'm pretty shy. It has advantages, some girls love it ;) and disadvantages, you don't talk to some girls you'd want to :(

[Nicola]

You're not the only one who feels like this. I'm exactly the same.

As you get older you find people are a lot more judgemental whereas when you're younger, no one really cares.

I had to do the whole oral presentation thing aswell and I hated standing up and talking infront of everyone but in the end it really wasn't that bad, because everyone else had to do it aswell.

It's all part of growing up to be honest, the mojority of people go through this. If you want to act and direct etc. then do it! Don't be scared to try new things because if anything, trying it WILL give you confidence.

[chantellehugs]

It's relief to know other people feel nervous too, I'm really set on trying new things, so thanks for the advice, :)

[luce]

i have this sometimes not at school but when im at hockey because everyone is like 22+ because i play senior and i'm 15. I think you have to realize most people do actually like you (unless you're some sort of jerk) and the more comfortable you are around people the more the will want to talk to you and it will all get better so fast. I have had this when got into a new friendship group!!

[Accipiter]

you've basically expressed myself o_o, i even take media!?!?!?

i wouldn't call mine a confidence issue, i'd call it a security issue, i don't like people getting to know me before i know them. But around friends im the most open person ever with good acting skills and **** and make them piss themselves laughing from random crap. e.g. a long neck bird i saw and went "WHAT THE ****" in the middle of a town centre.

But i can talk to people when its not about myself, e.g. i talk to my teacher in media easy, but the good thing for me is media isn't about yourself its about everyone and what your doing and your aims :)

I have this issue because i personally hate the way i acted when i was a child.

[Mathew]

I really does just come with practice. In the past couple of years I've had a lot of these talks and interviews.

I did my English coursework task (class talk for 10 minutes about a chosen subject).. I was nervous at first but after the first few minutes I just kept on reeling out all my information.
Then I had my Head Boy interview and speech to the Headmaster and some other staff which was horrible, but yet again - I just got into the swing of it.. and it paid off as they accepted me :P Then I had to do a speech at an open evening to a room full of parents - oh joy! ;D

Remember that all those people are also doing their talks to the class. You aren't being singled out, and I highly doubt you're going to be the worst. Just go for it and see how you do. :)

[Stellz]

woah, im glad im not the only one :3
except, from what you say, i think my problem might be worse than yours, as i HATE being in public/walking places on my own, because im terrified of what people think of me
.. gosh i need help.

ANYWAY im carefully overcoming it though, and all because ive apreciated whats around me. I mean yeah, i still wont go places on my own but hey, it takes time.

Youve got friends right? theyre always there for you im presuming, because you feel at one with them in school? well take this in your stride. your friends like you, so who cares about everyone else and what they will say, cause youve got your homies ;)!

About a year and a half ago, i was full of confience. I went out not giving a damn about what people thought of me, auditioning for the school play and wanting to be an actress and such, but suddenly it just went.
You sound like you do have confidence below, somewhere, so just let it out! You still want to pursue your career, and you should do it. I would, but once again i cant stand up alone infront of a bunch of people, but im gonna go for it this year (with the help of a few friends) but i'm gonna try and ace the audition ;)!

So yeah, just go for it! you know its there, and honestly, dont worry if people will laugh or not, becuase once your confidence is there, it suddenly shouldnt drop because you will know your good, and people will believe in you.

Oh and the other day, i have to give a speech infront of the class, and i was like one of the last, and once i got up there, i was shaking and stuff but i got into my flow of it and got an A*, and once its over, you will be so glad and you shouldnt worry :)

I dont know wether i said this but, if your friends are happy with you as you are now, they should be happy with you as your normal self when you express yourself, and if theyre not, get some new friends who love you for you, it will soon boost your confidence :D

I apologize for the essay ¬_¬

[BeanEgg]

Just start speaking, like get involved in conversations, but not get involved in a weird way. - I Then when you talk, you can gain more confidence.

It's the only way forward really.

[chantellehugs]

Wow, it's amazing how many people actually feel the same way! When my friends have to read out loud to the class they all say they're nervous, but they seem to hide it so well, when I'm nervous about talking my heart races at about 90 miles an hour and I become really breathless, then when it's all over I feel really great! And when I was on my school trip today, a few people had to read to the group, and one girl just hid her face with the paper and begged someone else to do it, and I wasn't really nervous about the possibility that I could be chosen, I was laidback and my friends were all fretting.

About the acting: I'm planning on asking my sister for advice on how to start out small, as the auditions for the school play are closed now

The interview isn't sounding so bad now everyone, so thanks :eusa_danc
I think that as soon as I've done something I never thought I could do, I'll be boosted a little bit more, so I'm looking forward to the interview, I want to prove to myself that I CAN do it.

[Accipiter]

Wow, it's amazing how many people actually feel the same way! When my friends have to read out loud to the class they all say they're nervous, but they seem to hide it so well, when I'm nervous about talking my heart races at about 90 miles an hour and I become really breathless, then when it's all over I feel really great! And when I was on my school trip today, a few people had to read to the group, and one girl just hid her face with the paper and begged someone else to do it, and I wasn't really nervous about the possibility that I could be chosen, I was laidback and my friends were all fretting.

About the acting: I'm planning on asking my sister for advice on how to start out small, as the auditions for the school play are closed now

The interview isn't sounding so bad now everyone, so thanks :eusa_danc
I think that as soon as I've done something I never thought I could do, I'll be boosted a little bit more, so I'm looking forward to the interview, I want to prove to myself that I CAN do it.

join a local amature dramatics group, i done that when i was younger, not that i stayed in long cause i had travel sickness when i got back from italy and quit and never rejoined again @_@ but it was an amazing laugh.

[chantellehugs]

I've found this theatre in Birmingham, which is really close to where I live and they have a group for Seniors, which is 15+ I think, so I'm going to ask my mum if I can join, I keep thinking JUST ASK! but it never comes out x[
I'm nervous and excited x]

[skipjack]

when i moved to a new school 200 miles away i didnt know anyone and i didnt want to be myself cos i go abit crazy
so for like 6 months i was stuck as a boring person who no one really new but it wasnt until people found some old youtube videos of me and my mates being stupid that they new what i was like and people probably thought i was weird when i started but now i can do whatever i want around them and they dont care
its hard to just like be someone completly different all the sudden
but i dunno since i got over that i can just be myself around anyone and strangers and act a **** whereever i loooooooooove it

[Butterfly]

i know how you feel, i mean i'd say i'm confident and wouldnt mind talking in front of class or anything like that, but approaching people and meeting new people, i'm pretty shy. It has advantages, some girls love it ;) and disadvantages, you don't talk to some girls you'd want to :(
I second this.

[Soy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKjETB5pqdU

just throw yourself out there and start living your life