I’m a kid and I say what’s on my mind. I say things without thinking, just to express myself. I am free to say what I want, free to fly, and free to celebrate. I am free to enjoy myself, to talk aloud to myself, and to be funny, bringing joy to everyone.

Then one day, I start secondary school, and slowly, time goes by; my inhibitions appear. The kids at school get more and more judgmental and less and less forgiving about the spoken word. Each time I say something the kids don’t like, I’m mocked, and eventually, I conform to the standard. This standard is pain, and no one deviates from it. It does not take prisoners.

I have this feeling that I’m not funny. I have this strong belief that when people laugh at what I say, they are laughing at me rather than with me. I say something which is meant in all seriousness, and people laugh. I beat myself up about it and say to myself that “I’m an idiot” for saying that and that was “stupid of me”.

Then one day, the pandemic strikes. I have had enough of my life and being cooped up indoors. I decide to quit my job and step out of my comfort zone by taking up improv. Through a lot of hard work and compliments, I discover the art of being funny when you are not trying to be funny. This gives me more confidence in my own funniness, and I start to embrace my own unique humour. I realize that I can turn on the funniness like a tap when performing, just like I used to do as a kid.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that creating laughter in all its forms is giving people the gift of human connection. When we laugh, we bond, embrace, and unite. I love to give. Giving is an art form, and the art form is laughter. Laughter is essence, and essence is the gift of connection. Connection is my passion.

I have also attempted to pursue stand-up comedy. I have taken four different stand-up courses but have never completed any of them because I feel my material is not good enough. This is a fear I want to overcome, and I have made it a goal to perform a stand-up show. To achieve this, I have booked myself on my fifth course, and I am determined to do well at this genre of comedy. The biggest issue with my stand-up fear is that I don’t feel comfortable with my presentation skills on stage. However, since my last course, I have done a couple of storytelling events, and someone remarked that I had the presence of a stand-up comedian. This feeling of validation was echoed at an improv class where someone else noted that I seemed like a stand-up comedian.

Contact me if you have any opportunities within stand-up!