Navigating Emotions: Understanding Confidence, Hesitation, and Emotional Barriers

The Navigating Emotions session was designed as a theatre-based activity intended to support young people in exploring emotions, expression, and self-awareness. Participants generally expected a performance-focused session involving acting or theatrical expression. However, for many young people, these expectations quickly became a source of discomfort.

A significant number of participants struggled to engage due to low confidence and anxiety around performing or expressing themselves in front of others. Feelings of self-consciousness and fear of appearing exposed or “silly” in front of peers affected overall participation. As a result, engagement remained low, particularly during the theatre-based elements of the session.

While some young people who were more comfortable with creative expression were able to participate, the session was only partially completed. Writing and reflection activities were more accessible and better received, whereas performance-based tasks proved challenging for many participants.

Youth Worker Learning and Reflection

Youth workers described the session as valuable but challenging. Although mixed engagement limited full delivery, the session supported greater understanding of young people’s confidence levels and emotional barriers. Youth workers gained insight into how theatre-based activities can impact engagement differently depending on participants’ comfort with performance and exposure.

Through the session, youth workers partly strengthened key competences, including facilitating reflection, supporting young people with low confidence, and responding with patience and empathy. The experience also highlighted the importance of adapting activities to suit group needs and emotional readiness.

Youth workers expressed cautious willingness to repeat the session, noting that while the method has value—particularly for young people who enjoy creative or reflective approaches—it may not be suitable for all groups without adaptation.

Session Delivery and Engagement

The session was minimally adapted to the local context. Although some adjustments were made to respect comfort levels and sensitivities, the core theatre-based structure remained unchanged, which limited engagement for many participants. Mentorship and support were provided but were not fully effective in helping young people overcome discomfort with performance-based activities.

Overall, Navigating Emotions highlighted the need for sensitivity, flexibility, and confidence-building when using theatre-based tools with young people, particularly those who may experience anxiety around public expression.