What an excellent post, thank you so much. I'd really want to have a chat with you and talk about a few things. I've been struggling with this shit for more than 20 years now, and it has turned my life into a living hell on so many more occasions than I care to count. I've been in love and not been able to express it because of fear of embarrassment and anxiety. I've failed phenomenal professional opportunities because I stuttered like hell on an interview and had to change the things I say so as to avoid certain blocks I anticipated, which resulted in me sounding way less knowledgeable than I actually was. And many, many more. It's been the single most difficult thing in my life, and the only thing I have ever truly dreamed of is getting rid of my stutter. Now being a part of an online programming course, I have an upcoming presentation and the anxiety is eating me alive. I frequently recollect one of the greatest things Seneca wrote, more than 2000 years ago: ​ >The greatest flaw in life is that it is always imperfect, and that a certain part of it is postponed. One who daily puts the finishing touches to his life is never in want of time. And yet, from this want arise fear and a craving for the future which eats away the mind. There is nothing more wretched than worry over the outcome of future events; as to the amount or the nature of that which remains, our troubled minds are set aflutter with unaccountable fear.  For he only is anxious about the future, to whom the present is unprofitable. But when I have paid my soul its due, when a soundly balanced mind knows that a day differs not a whit from eternity – whatever days or problems the future may bring – then the soul looks forth from lofty heights and laughs heartily to itself when it thinks upon the ceaseless succession of the ages. For what disturbance can result from the changes and the instability of Chance, if you are sure in the face of that which is unsure?  It really is the anticipation of the future that troubles me the most, when I have an upcoming interaction that involves me talking to someone. I strongly resonate with what you wrote. It is fear that causes this, and I clearly recognize it. I will try out your method of focusing on the person in front of me and breathing properly. Send me a PM whenever you can, I'd love to talk more with you about this and other things in life. Cheers!