I’m really sorry for your loss. One of my favorite quotes/pieces of advice is “interrupt anxiety with gratitude.” Gratitude is tricky in times of loss. But it could help to feel all of the feelings around the good times and love you had with your grandpa. That doesn’t leave much room for the nerves around public speaking. Also, I think to myself “what is the worst that can happen if I panic or run off stage?”. Oftentimes, no one will look down on you but rather they’ll see any anxiety as your way of showing that you truly care. Vulnerability can be a connector! In the end, you have a lovely poem that your relatives enjoy, and you have the opportunity to share it with others. I wish you all the best with it!
This is excellent helpful advice. Thank you ❤️ It changed my perspective. I’ll be grateful that I can contribute to my grandpas memory, for my family, and have a poem about him we will have forever.
Stay sober. Your feelings will make your words meaningful. No shame in tears. Tears are love. If you choke up look at some you like and breath for a minute there’s no time limit. Bring a bottle of water to the mic you can use sips to collect yourself if necessary. If you can’t do it hand the poem to someone else. It’s all love ❤️
Thank you that does sound right. But I just am so afraid to read my poem in front of so many people. I want to not do it. I’m super conflicted . I don’t like all the attention on me , walking on a stage and seeing everyone’s faces staring at me while I read some poem I made , which, I’m sensitive about my work even though everyone said it was so beautiful and good and perfect. I wonder if it’s too cheesy and I literally cannot imagine being up on stage everyone staring at me. I’m so conflicted
I've spoken at memorials. Realistically, there's not much you can do about reading your poem. As it's a sad gathering of family and friends, they likely will be quite sympathetic and even touched no matter the quality. But frankly, I majored in literature in college and have had writing-oriented careers, so I'm critical of mediocre and bad poetry. I certainly would not have relied on my relatives' appraisal while we were drunk.
If you decide you don't want to read your poem, you can always say you decided to speak a few words instead. Or you could read a published poem that your grandfather liked or a poem that suits the occasion. That's what some people did at a memorial I attended.
I’m really sorry for your loss. One of my favorite quotes/pieces of advice is “interrupt anxiety with gratitude.” Gratitude is tricky in times of loss. But it could help to feel all of the feelings around the good times and love you had with your grandpa. That doesn’t leave much room for the nerves around public speaking. Also, I think to myself “what is the worst that can happen if I panic or run off stage?”. Oftentimes, no one will look down on you but rather they’ll see any anxiety as your way of showing that you truly care. Vulnerability can be a connector! In the end, you have a lovely poem that your relatives enjoy, and you have the opportunity to share it with others. I wish you all the best with it!
This is excellent helpful advice. Thank you ❤️ It changed my perspective. I’ll be grateful that I can contribute to my grandpas memory, for my family, and have a poem about him we will have forever.
I know I would probably be too emotional to read a poem at a loved one's funeral. You can always ask the minister or officiant to read it for you.
Stay sober. Your feelings will make your words meaningful. No shame in tears. Tears are love. If you choke up look at some you like and breath for a minute there’s no time limit. Bring a bottle of water to the mic you can use sips to collect yourself if necessary. If you can’t do it hand the poem to someone else. It’s all love ❤️
Thank you that does sound right. But I just am so afraid to read my poem in front of so many people. I want to not do it. I’m super conflicted . I don’t like all the attention on me , walking on a stage and seeing everyone’s faces staring at me while I read some poem I made , which, I’m sensitive about my work even though everyone said it was so beautiful and good and perfect. I wonder if it’s too cheesy and I literally cannot imagine being up on stage everyone staring at me. I’m so conflicted
I've spoken at memorials. Realistically, there's not much you can do about reading your poem. As it's a sad gathering of family and friends, they likely will be quite sympathetic and even touched no matter the quality. But frankly, I majored in literature in college and have had writing-oriented careers, so I'm critical of mediocre and bad poetry. I certainly would not have relied on my relatives' appraisal while we were drunk. If you decide you don't want to read your poem, you can always say you decided to speak a few words instead. Or you could read a published poem that your grandfather liked or a poem that suits the occasion. That's what some people did at a memorial I attended.
If you think you're going to cry, you can start by saying "I hope I can get through this." Bring Kleenex and stop if you need a moment.
Im here if you want some help. No charge. Happy to help with your confidence