I am shy by nature.
Even at school, speaking in front of the class was always a huge challenge for me. Even in other groups, at family gatherings, or at soccer games, I always hoped that no one would speak to me directly in front of the group. I preferred to be invisible in conversations with others.
In 2016, I fled to Germany and couldn't speak a word of German. I knew that to learn another language, I would have to speak a lot. So I attended a German course and learned the basics. But everyday life wasn't easy. I was afraid of speaking to strangers; afraid of being rude or unintentionally offending someone.
So I remained silent for a long time.
One day my German teacher approached me: "This can't go on like this. You have to learn to speak more. I have an idea: You can act!"
Me—speaking in public—in front of other people—in German?! That was pretty much the last thing I wanted. But she persisted and kept asking. Finally, I plucked up the courage and went to the first rehearsal.
Eight months later, I couldn't sleep. It was the night before our performance at the Deutsches Theater Berlin.
150 people were expected and at the thought of it, my
Heart in my pants.
Sweat of fear — spotlights — applause – I had done it!
Relieved and also a little proud, I greeted my friends after the performance.
To this day, it's hard for me to speak in front of other people, but each time I do it, it gets a little better.
