THE NAKED NIGHTMARE

You walk into a room—maybe it’s a school, a meeting, a presentation, and suddenly, you realize… you’re not wearing any clothes. Panic sets in. People are staring. You feel completely exposed.

This recurring nightmare affects many people. Teachers, students, professionals, and speakers. It doesn’t matter what your background is. The feeling is the same: raw vulnerability, the fear of being seen too deeply, too honestly. The haunting question rises:
“Am I good enough?”
“Will they see through me?”

That dream, unsettling as it is, often reflects the hidden self-doubt we carry in real life. It’s not just about public embarrassment. It’s about the discomfort of showing up as our true selves- imperfect, human, and trying our best.

So, what can we do when this fear spills into our waking lives?

How about we change the story?

The next time you feel that pang of self-doubt, imagine that the people in front of you—whether students, colleagues, or clients- are all younger versions of yourself. They carry the same hopes, insecurities, and hunger to grow. They're not there to judge you. They're here to connect. To learn.

When you see others through that lens of empathy, it softens the pressure.
You begin to relate instead of retreat.
You begin to lead from your wholeness, not your worry.

So, the next time you wake up from that nightmare, take a deep breath—and maybe even smile. It’s just your heart reminding you how much you care. And that care? That vulnerability?
It’s not your weakness. It’s your strength.

You are more than enough. You belong exactly where you are.
And the world needs what only you can offer.

When you know yourself, you are empowered. When you accept yourself, you are invincible."

— Tina Lifford