Dennis Schulz

For a long time, I lived with an underlying sense of inadequacy. It wasn’t something I always voiced out loud, but it was there, lurking beneath the surface. I looked at others and saw people who seemed to have it all together: friends with thriving careers, relationships that appeared perfect, and seemingly endless energy. Meanwhile, I was constantly fighting the nagging feeling that I wasn’t doing enough, that I wasn’t enough. This fear of not being enough didn’t just affect how I saw myself—it shaped how I approached every part of my life. I put too much pressure on myself to be perfect, to live up to standards I had set in my mind. Whether it was at work, in my friendships, or even in my personal growth, the thought was always there: What if I fall short? What if I’m not good enough? This fear had its roots in my childhood, growing up with high expectations that I thought were normal. It was about constantly being told to strive for more and never feeling like I was qui...

Letting go is one of the hardest things to learn in life. Whether it’s a relationship that no longer serves us, a job we’ve outgrown, or even a version of ourselves we’re ready to move on from, the process of releasing can feel impossible. I’ve always struggled with this. I would hold on to things long after they stopped making sense in my life, out of fear of the unknown. But over time, I’ve learned that letting go is not about losing something—it’s about making room for what’s next. The first time I truly let go of something significant was when I decided to leave a job that had become toxic. I stayed far longer than I should have because I felt safe in the routine and because the thought of starting over felt terrifying. But that safety was an illusion. Every day I stayed, I was losing a piece of myself—my confidence, my energy, and my joy. When I finally left, it felt like stepping off a cliff, but the freedom that followed was worth every ounce of fear. Letting go does...

Stage fright, or performance anxiety, is a common and often overwhelming fear of speaking or performing in front of an audience. It can manifest in physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, and nausea, as well as mental symptoms like intense fear, anxiety, and negative thoughts. This fear can affect anyone, from seasoned performers to those speaking in public for the first time. However, conquering stage fright is possible with the right strategies and mindset. Understanding the root cause of stage fright is the first step in overcoming it. It often stems from a fear of judgment or failure. Acknowledging these fears and understanding that they are normal can help reduce their power over you. Accept that feeling nervous is part of the process and that even the best performers experience it. Preparation is key to building confidence and reducing anxiety. Practicing your speech or performance multiple times helps you become more familiar with the material, m...