Streaming can be a blast, but it can also be nerve-wracking! Streaming anxiety is real and stops many from trying what could be a very fun and rewarding experience. If you’re feeling hampered by anxiety, take a deep breath and read on—we’ll be talking about ways to reduce your anxiety on stream and help give you the courage to hit that go live button.
What causes stream anxiety?
There are many reasons why we get anxiety before going live and during streams. Some people worry about how they will be perceived by the Twitch community. Others feel like they might not make for an entertaining broadcast. Not all anxiety comes in the same form, but let’s talk about some of the most common causes and why you need to push them aside.
You’re afraid people won’t like you
This is probably the biggest reason why people shy away from streaming. The reality is, some people won’t like you, no matter what you do. Just as in everyday life, there are a ton of different personalities on Twitch. Some will vibe with you while others simply won’t. This should not be disheartening or a deterrent. You are bound to meet and make friends with many wonderful people on the platform. Open your heart and mind up to them, don’t let those whose minds you can’t change take up space in yours!
Camera shyness giving you stream anxiety
The thought of showing your face to the world, live, can be scary. However, humans are visual creatures. You may feel uneasy about having eyes on you in this way, but having a camera really helps people connect with you. We don’t recommend streaming without a camera in the longterm, but it may help if you have a lot of anxiety over this. Twitch streamer onlymetahuman started streaming without a camera. When he felt ready, he did a face reveal on stream. This was a big step for him, but it hyped up his viewers who were extremely supportive. Your community will spend a lot of time with you, they want to see your face, so don’t be afraid to show it!
You worry about your stream quality
So you’ve watched some amazing, cutting edge streams and you’re feeling less than proud of your own setup. While you should definitely strive to improve your stream as you are able to, everyone has to start somewhere. If you don’t have the top of the line mic or camera, that’s okay. Work with what you have in the beginning. You’re the most important part of your stream and the best equipment in the world won’t help you if you aren’t keeping that in mind, which leads us to another fear.
You don’t think you’re entertaining enough
This is a big fear we all have when starting out and it can even creep in as time goes on. Am I actually entertaining? The answer is likely, yes. You may not think you are, but there are definitely people on Twitch that want to watch you. It goes back to the fear of not being liked. Some people will love hanging out with you, while others won’t. There’s a place for everyone on Twitch and you simply need to find your crowd. Until then, asking a friend or two to drop into your stream will help you feel more at ease about the whole endeavor (and can also help your channel grow).
The bottom line on stream anxiety
Streaming can be unpredictable, which is anxiety-inducing for many, but it’s a lot of fun too! Even when things don’t go as planned, you need to roll with it and be okay with laughing at yourself. You’re likely your own worst critic and people aren’t watching you because they expect perfection. They’re watching to hang out with you, so take a deep breath and go live. Fun and new friends await!
What helped you overcome stream anxiety? Let us know in the comments!
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