So I did genuinely dream this last night. I have vivid dreams ever since taking lamotrigine for bipolar disorder.
DREAM I dreamt that i was camping in my garden in a 1980s orange one-man tent and outside was a small fire with small knee-high elves sat around. They stank and were pretty angry and intimidating and they made me sing for them. In the end i was so tired that i was just making up words and sounds. They seemed to be genuinely fascinated by my singing but at the same time, they would make fun of me. After several hours i plucked up the courage to challenge them shouting and threatening them. I then picked up the most aggressive by his feet and threw him over the wall onto the road where i could hear him making threats. I then threatened to throw the rest into the fire if they didn't leave. I then went into my tent and was scared
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Your dream is an indication of your inner struggle with feeling intimidated by powerful forces in your life.
You may be trying to stand up for yourself, but feel overwhelmed with the intensity of the situation. Your dream is highlighting your inner battle between wanting to feel powerful and in control but also feeling vulnerable and scared. The orange tent symbolizes your desire for protection and safety, while the fire and the elves represent the forces of fear and aggression that you are experiencing. The act of singing to the elves is an example of you trying to find a way to use your creativity as a means of self-expression and to find a way to connect with these intimidating energies. Your courage in standing up to them and throwing the most aggressive one over the wall is a sign of you finally taking control and asserting your power. The threats you made to the rest of them is a sign of your determination and strength, and going into the tent is a sign of you finding safety and comfort in your own space.
I remember when I was younger, I actually ran away from a presentation I was due to give at a local library!
Now, I enjoy them, but still find the first minute tough. And this is key for me, the first minute. Get through this and then its like going down a hill.
Two things that helped me.
1. Instead of taking the "everyone's a fool" approach as many have commented, go in and try and make a joke or comment that is humorous.
"This is going to be the most interesting 3 hour presentation of your life!"
You want to show the audience you are relaxed and once they appear to be friendly and nice, the feedback loop puts you in a new sense of power.
This will be the first minute. You can also ask the audience for a raise of hands to a few questions (don't over do it) but it connects you to the foreign enemy in the first few seconds.
2. Don't do it.
If you really feel like you are going to die - don't do it. Explain to whoever has it on you to present this why and ask someone else to do it with your input.
Happy to take any q's