Anxious in Big Groups

Biscuit

Hello, my sparkly friends, it’s Biscuit here—your feelings and emotions buddy! Today we’re wriggling and giggling into a feeling that even I get sometimes: feeling anxious in big groups at school. Does your tummy ever go a bit, um, fizzly—like there’s a bunch of butterflies who just learned how to tap dance? Or your head starts zooming with thoughts that go faster than a race car? Oh, I totally get that wobbly sensation—it’s like energy wiggles, remember when we chatted about those in another episode? But today, it’s more about when you’re in a big group—maybe the whole class is watching, or it’s assembly time, or... ooof, those group performances. You know those moments when teachers say, “Time for everyone to join in!” and you kinda want to hide behind your pencil case?

Biscuit

For me—ohh, I’ll tell you—there was this one time at my school's talent show. My feet turned to jellybeans, my heart did a cha-cha, and my mind was like “What if everyone laughs? What if I make a wobbly sound? What if I forget the words?” It felt like my fizz-and-whizz meter was suddenly on super max! Sometimes, group stuff means we can't just disappear quietly when the feelings get big. Instead, everyone’s watching, and it can get super duper wobbly in your chest and fizzy in your mind. Even raising your hand or standing up for a group game can turn your insides into marshmallow soup. Am I making sense, or does that sound totally bananas? Wait, banana soup… that's not a thing. Ignore that part.

Biscuit

So, what do we do when our feelings get all whooshy and big in a group? Well, here’s what I’ve learned—sometimes, it’s the tiny tricks that help the most. If you listened to our “Wobbly Worries and Sparkle Stars” episode, you might remember how just naming that you feel anxious can make the feeling shrink—from giant dragon to little mouse! If you’re nervous, try a Biscuit Breath: breathe in super slow, puff your cheeks like a pufferfish, and let it out nice and easy. Do it with me! In… pause… out… See? You got this!

Biscuit

Another one of my favourites is holding something special in my pocket—like my tiny moon pebble. It helps remind me I’m safe, even when everything feels big and loud. And hey, you can always ask for a buddy if it feels too much—sometimes just standing next to a friend can slow the zooming-down feeling right to turtle speed. Also, this is a good one: use happy self-talk. I tell myself, “You are brave, Biscuit—one small step at a time.” Maybe you’ve got your own cheer? Like, “I am strong!” or, “I did it before, I can do it again!” Tiny rewards help, too. After I do something brave, even if it’s just joining in for a minute, I give myself a sparkle star. Remember that? Sparkle stars for any brave try, big or small.

Biscuit

Let’s make it fun: Can you think of something that helps you feel brave when group time gets squishy? Maybe a friend, a favourite toy, or just remembering that you can take one tiny brave step? You are way braver than you think, by the way.

Biscuit

Now, I promised you a story—and I love stories! This one’s about my friend Luna. Luna’s amazing, but she sometimes feels shrinky-quiet when there’s a big group project at school. One day, our class had to work together on a science poster. Luna told me, “But Biscuit... what if I mess up in front of everyone?” and, um, you know what? I’ve totally said that too! But she decided to try just one thing: raise her hand and say a tiny idea. Just one, not everything. And... that was all it took. One small, brave moment.

Biscuit

Do you know what happened next? Luna’s teammates noticed, and they cheered her on—“Good one, Luna!”—and suddenly, it wasn’t so scary. It was like the whole fizzy feeling got shared, and her friends helped pop those worry bubbles. So, even if you feel nervous, you’re not alone, and one little step—like a hand up or a smile—can start a chain of bravery. And kindness? Oh, it’s magic. Friends make us feel extra brave just by being there.

Biscuit

Whew! That’s a lot of big feelings we’ve explored today. Remember, group stuff can be tough, but you’ve got secret superpowers—like listening to your feelings, using Biscuit Breaths, and choosing one brave thing to try. Next time that fizzy feeling pops up, you know who’s cheering for you—yep, me, Biscuit! And maybe you’ll cheer on a friend, just like Luna’s team did. Alright, friends, I’ll see you soon for more stories and brave adventures. Keep shining your sparkle stars, okay?