How to Recover from a “Visibility Hangover”

What happens when you get more VISIBLE?

You may have experienced this interesting phenomenon when you’re putting yourself “out there” in the world in a bigger way, like when you’re:

• getting in front of a bigger audience—whether it’s in print, in person, or on camera
• sharing with more freely, with more vulnerability
• doing something new that will be seen by other people

The HANGOVER?

The hangover happens sometime after the fact, maybe it’s a few minutes, hours or days later when you have some gut-wrenching feeling that in your mind sounds something like:

• “Ugh, did I really say that?”
• “OUCH! I can’t believe I just did that! [So embarrassing!’]”
• “What are people going to think about it?”
• “What are people going to think of me?”

This feeling is also often accompanied by a feeling of panic, anxiety, embarrassment, guilt or even shame.

First of all, if you recognize this experience, CONGRATULATIONS! I celebrate YOU! Because it means you are bravely putting yourself out there in the world!

Why it happens:

• stepping into the spotlight and becoming more visible can make you feel more vulnerable or exposed
• What we feel vulnerable and/or exposed to is criticism and judgment from other people.
• The truth is: often we are way more critical of ourselves than others could ever be.

Why it’s a VERY GOOD THING:

• It’s a sign you are becoming more VISIBLE! YAY!
• You are sharing MORE OF YOU in an authentic way which is WAY better than sharing a FAKE version of you.
• The hangover is worst when you are stepping up to a NEW LEVEL of visibility—so it’s a great sign that you are growing as a person and expanding your reach.

How to handle your “hangover”:

• Honour and acknowledge the feeling — it’s just there because you’re doing something new & a bit scary!
• Congratulate yourself for taking that step to becoming more visible, even though it was challenging
• Remember that the more you continue sharing more of yourself, the easier it will be.
• Be kind to yourself: We are our own worst critics – work on loving and accepting everything you’ve done, mistakes and ALL!
• Remember that your ideal audience is going to love you the way you are, so if others might not receive what you did in the spirit it was delivered…just realize that they’re not the audience for you!

What’s your biggest takeaway?  Share your experience in the comments below!

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