Beat. Breath.

Not Dearth, nor bereft.

Five minutes till presentation. Five mikes front, a merciless spotlight in form of a crowd’s scrutinization.

I find the anxiety coursing through my veins.

I tell myself that I’m insane, that someone also afflicted talking about mental health is about as literal an allegory of blind leading the blind off some goddamn cliff face.

I’m writing this to tell myself that that voice has no place.

I tell myself that if I believe what I’m going to say, I damn well better start using the tools I’m planning to share.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Your hands aren’t shaking anymore. Cortisol, adrenaline- it’s run its course.

So breathe goddamnit.

Loosen your shoulders.

Just. Breathe.

There’s only an audience of one.

That’s all there is.

No big.

No big at all.