I spoke at meeting!!
 

I did it!

Overcame my shyness and fear of public speaking and spoke in front of everyone last night.

It was truly a life changing experience. I was calm and measured, spoke honestly and from the heart about my struggles with the bottle and what had brought me there.

The love and support I got in return was overwhelming. I'm just so pleased with myself. I was beginning to drift I think and am right back on track.

It has kept me sober that's for sure!

Good for you Jeni :)

Warms my heart to hear it, wonderful! :c015:

Gives me & others courage to do the same!!!

Cool! Well done girl :)
xxx

Very cool!!!

I was terrified to speak for my first few meetings. Not so much from shyness, but fear of revealing such personal info about myself. Once I listened to other people for a while, I just kind of naturally opened up.

Nice work! Keep it up!

That is really good news...someone there needed to hear what you shared
:funjump:

Fantastic.
Glad things are progressing .
John

Congrats, Jeni! That is great progress, indeed! Thanks for sharing your growth.

That's great Jeni!...It makes you feel like you are a part of....Good for you!

Well done Jeni, so glad to hear that. I've been wanting to speak for a whole now, I need to get the courage up and just do it. You've inspired me - thank you xx

Sounds great!!

Well done Jeni,
Now Epskie, no pressure, but, you're up next. "Just do it!".
:scared:

Good for you, Jeni. Keep on going and you'll be chairing, one day!

Good for you, Jeni! I know it will help your recovery. :)

Very awesome! Doesn't it feel good to overcome a fear?

Thank you all so much, yes it feels great.
I always think I'm going to be ridiculed or humiliated if I dare to open my mouth, so I usually spend a long time rehearsing what I'm going to say and then think through imagined scenarios of what people's responses will be. This leads to me chickening out because what i imagine usually ends terribly badly.
What was lovely about last night was I hadn't planned it at all. The guest speaker just raised so many issues that I could identify with that I found myself responding before I knew what was happening.

What got me was their reaction, they were all just so lovely and came up to chat to me after the meeting.

I've had a challenging day at work but that doesn't matter to me at the moment. I just feel so pleased to have found this site. Without you all I would never have embarked on this journey. A bumpy ride, but I'm hanging on tight. Thank you all xxxx

That's the best way to do it...You're doing great Jeni...Keep at it!

Great job, Jeni. Remember, when you share your story you help the others in your group!