![](https://images.hive.blog/DQmaoJDGS2Wt7PWhGynxtKtsnzFdABiMTG7cXWkBjThnBm2/Fear%20cover.jpg) What better way to face your fear than to just do it? (Well, this doesn’t apply to all fears 😂). I’ve always loved writing. Give me a beautifully written piece - poems, fiction, articles, you name it - and I’m sold. There’s just something magical about well-crafted words and the way punctuation brings rhythm to a story. But while I’ve always been in love with writing, I’ve never had the same ease with speaking. Public speaking? Yeah… not my strongest suit. I admire those who wield the mic with confidence, but for me, it’s always been accompanied by nerves and sweaty palms. I still remember my internship at the Unilag Design Studio, where weekly presentations were _the dread of my week_. Sure, I got encouragement and even improved a little, but the fear never really went away. cover photo

## My First Leap Recently, something unexpected happened: I was invited to host my faculty’s Career Day. Till today, I can’t fathom how and why I was invited for the role. My default response would’ve been a quick “_no, thank you_”, but this time, I decided to give myself a chance. So I said yes. First time as a host

In the days leading up to the event, the thought of backing out popped into my mind more times than I can count. But somehow, I kept convincing myself to go ahead. Luckily, I wasn’t alone. I got to co-host with an amazing person, Victor Aifediyi. A little backstory: Victor and I had worked together before, most memorably when we co-led the content team for PAADC, a student-led organization. From him, I learned a lot about leading with empathy, and his creativity continues to inspire me. Co-hosting with him was nothing short of wonderful; the sync was natural, the energy was contagious, and before I knew it, I had eased into the role. The best part? After the event, people walked up to me asking if I hosted events regularly. That was the validation I didn’t even know I needed. ULES 23' Co-Hosts

## **Round Two: The SEES Conference** It didn’t stop there. Not long after, my department president, Sunmisola Ganikale, invited me to host the maiden edition of our conference. This time, I didn’t hesitate; I jumped right in. LightUp Conference 1.0

And again, I was blessed with another amazing co-host: Damilare Aribisala. Dami and I have been close friends for three years and counting. He’s one of Nigeria’s top copywriters, and speaking at events is second nature to him. (So basically, I was co-hosting with a pro). Even though our vibes are different, the synergy was splendid. Sunmi had one request: that the conference remained student-focused. And from the testimonials that came in afterwards, I dare say we pulled it off. SEES Conference Co-Hosts

## **What I’ve Learned** So here I am - someone who once dreaded public speaking - hosting two major events in a single month. Do I still get nervous when standing before an audience? _Absolutely._ Do I sometimes wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole when all eyes are on me? _Yes._ But here’s the twist: I’m still saying yes to more hosting gigs. And I’m choosing to believe that I’ll only get better with each one. Because here’s the truth - fear doesn’t just vanish. You don’t wait it out. You _do it scared_, and with time, it loses its grip. So if you’re hesitating about starting something new - taking a role, building a project, or stepping on stage, this is your sign. _Feel the fear. Do it anyways._