I have an uncomfortable truth to share.
💦 A few weeks ago while I was giving my presentation at a conference, I started sweating profusely. As you will be able to tell from the pictures I am sharing here, I was uncomfortable
Why was this happening? Could be any number of reasons:
⛰️ I had just taken a shot of espresso before the session to give me energy.
⛰️ I had to rush back to my room to get my laptop as the organisers did not have my slides and did not have time to ground myself before.
⛰️ The room filled up with more people than expected and the temperature went up, even after the blinds were put down. The lights in the room were still on and right on top of me
⛰️ Maybe it was nerves, my body temperature went up. When I get nervous my cheeks always get more red, which is why I always wear more blush
⛰️ Maybe it was hormonal and my body was giving my first signs of a hot flash
🪭 Now fortunately thanks to my training and years of experience as a public speaker, my muscle memory allowed me to continue with the presentation and once we sat down for the panel and I was under the AC my body finally cooled down.
🧐 So many reasons and I will not know which one was the cause, but it got me thinking….. instead of just going ahead with the presentation what are the things I could have done to get me more comfortable?
What could I have done instead?
☘️ Opened the session with an icebreaker question with the attendees to give myself more time and a moment to ground myself
☘️ I could have started with the panel instead of the presentation, just swapped it around and settled my body before standing up
☘️ Taken off my heels
☘️ I could have also been honest about what was happening to my body, who knows what kind of conversation that might have sparked?
🙏 Not only is this an uncomfortable truth, this is also an uncomfortable share. My hope is that my vulnerability will lead to more open conversations about our experiences as we all navigate the realities of being women in work and life.
I am Naureen a respectful rebel who colours outside the lines. Finding the courage to lead and live in our own way. Link to my substack for the full learnings of this experience:
https://substack.com/@naureenahmed/note/p-218170355?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=3i0mth
