I was on an online meeting with my college tech group. We are organising an event. I was told to do a presentation on what I have prepared. I was not prepared for the presentation. I got nervous and anxious. I bluntly said “I don’t know how to explain” I felt so embarrassed. I felt like everyone was laughing at me. I turned red. I feel like I don’t know anything and that I am dumb. I feel like I don’t deserve to be in that group.
Hey @user724718 . Thank you for sharing this. Being asked to present when you weren’t prepared, especially in a group setting, can make anyone freeze up. I’ve seen (and experienced) moments like this myself too, and they often feel much worse inside than they look to others. It takes courage to show up to meetings, take responsibility, and even admit when you’re stuck, even if it didn’t come out the way you hoped. The fact that you care this much about how you showed up tells me you value doing well and contributing, not that you’re incapable.
It makes sense that your mind jumped to harsh thoughts about yourself, but those feelings don’t reflect your actual worth or knowledge. You were just caught in a tough moment. And so, it doesn’t erase all the skills and effort you bring to your group, okie? 
I hope you can give yourself some kindness and reassurance, okie? One moment doesn’t define you. You’re still capable, worthy, and part of the team. Sending you a lot of warmth 
Dear @user724718
Thank you for reaching out. I will like to share that what you described has probably happened to many of us before. I doubt anyone would enjoy being put on the spot either. I also think your reaction to feel nervous, freeze and answer bluntly when you were suddenly asked to present without any prior warning was only human.
Please know that many of us also tend to catastrophise at times, so gently remind yourself this one incident is not at all a measure of your abilities or professionalism. In fact I see that your ability to reflect and learn from this episode says volume about you. Do be gentle with yourself, and slowly the sting of this incident will subside and lose its grip on you.
Thank you for sharing, and that moment sounds so uncomfortable, and I can feel how strongly it’s sticking with you. Anyone would feel shaken after that. Getting put on the spot when you’re not prepared can trigger anxiety fast, especially in a group where you care about how you’re seen.
A few gentle things I want to reflect back to you:
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Freezing doesn’t mean you’re dumb. It means your nervous system took over. Anxiety can literally block your ability to explain things you do understand.
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Saying “I don’t know how to explain” isn’t stupid and it’s actually honest. A lot of people ramble to hide panic; and you didn’t
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That feeling that “everyone was laughing at me” is a really common anxiety response. Most of the time, people are thinking about the task, the event, or themselves and may not be judging us as harshly as we judge ourselves.
One moment, even an awkward one, does not define your intelligence or your place in the group. If you truly didn’t deserve to be there, you wouldn’t have been included in the first place.
If it helps, you could:
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Follow up later with a short message like, “Sorry I froze earlier — what I was trying to convey was….” That alone shows responsibility and competence.
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Remind yourself: Being unprepared once ≠ being incapable.
Right now, it sounds like shame is talking very loudly. Shame tells us “I don’t belong,” even when that isn’t true. You’re not broken, and you’re not an impostor. You’re a human who had a hard moment and those happen to even the most capable people 
Dont be too hard on yourself!
Hey @user724718 ,
Thank you for sharing this. Being asked to present on the spot certainly isn’t easy, and being anxious and nervous are very normal things that can happen. It’s understandable that you’ll feel that way. I honestly felt that one thing I really admired was that you were honest about how you felt at the time. Though it’s embarrassing, I think being honest is something not many people are good at.
Additionally, though you may feel that you do not deserve to be in the group or that you’re dumb, know that one moment does not define who we are. Everyone has their embarrassing moments or when they make mistakes. It’s part of being human. So be kind to yourself and don’t beat yourself up over it!