{"id":13862,"date":"2026-01-09T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=13862"},"modified":"2026-01-09T16:45:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T21:45:22","slug":"from-loneliness-to-the-tedx-stage-how-showing-up-changed-everything","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2026\/01\/09\/from-loneliness-to-the-tedx-stage-how-showing-up-changed-everything\/","title":{"rendered":"From Loneliness to the TEDx Stage: How Showing Up Changed Everything"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Email That Stopped Me in My Tracks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When I received an email from the head of the communications department asking if I would be interested in giving a TEDx talk, I had to read it twice. I was told that when asked to choose a student speaker, I was the first person who came to mind. Excitement, disbelief and nerves all hit me at once.
Being selected wasn\u2019t something I had been pursuing. I felt honored, yes, but also anxious. Saying yes meant stepping outside my comfort zone and trusting my story was worth sharing, not just for me, but for the student voice at Indiana University Northwest, the communications department and the ideas I care deeply about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning to Show Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The focus of my talk was space and expectation: how the way we show up in spaces shapes the connections we create. This idea came from my own transformation between my sophomore and junior years, when I experienced deep loneliness. I was surrounded by people but felt disconnected, expecting meaningful relationships to simply appear on their own. I didn\u2019t realize I had a role to play in creating those connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


That mindset shifted when I began actively placing myself in new spaces. I got involved in student organizations such as PRSSA and other campus communities. By showing up consistently and contributing, I learned that connection isn\u2019t accidental. It grows through presence and intention.
The Intense Preparation<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Preparing for TEDx was far more intensive than I expected. I worked with a TEDx coach, joined weekly Zoom sessions, and refined my talk repeatedly. Feedback was invaluable, but not always easy to hear. There were moments of frustration, self-doubt, and confusion when my story didn\u2019t quite \u201cgive TEDx.\u201d But by trusting the process, revising, and identifying where my message
truly clicked, my story became clearer, more focused, and impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


PRSSA played a pivotal role in this journey. From my very first meeting, I chose to engage actively rather than stay on the sidelines. Attending my first PRSSA District Conference pushed me far outside my comfort zone, transforming my confidence. I learned to network, share my story, and meaningfully connect with others. PRSSA became living proof of my talk\u2019s core idea: connection doesn\u2019t happen by accident; it happens when we show up, create space and invite others in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Stage, Fully Present<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the days leading up to the talk, I practiced constantly. Recording myself, listening to my talk, practicing with friends, refining pauses and even making flashcards to memorize my speech. The stress was real; I developed a rash on my neck from nerves. Yet when the day arrived, seeing my family and friends in the audience made me feel grounded and confident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


On stage, I took a deep breath and began. My voice was clear and steady. I had one minor hiccup, but I recovered quickly, just as I had practiced. Delivering the talk without notes or slides, I felt calm, confident and fully present. When it ended, the applause was overwhelming. In that moment, I felt an immense sense of pride: I had created this moment for myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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