Sing? Me? No way. Despite my love of theatrics and willingness to get up before a crowd, singing in front of someone feels as exposing to me as standing there naked. Years ago in a drama workshop I was asked to sing a song. Instant paralysis took hold until I ran out of the room crying – and I still considered that singing would have been a more embarrassing display.

So you can imagine my own surprise when I find myself auditioning for a musical.

Not sure what prompted me to even look at the character sides, but then I spotted her: my alter ego. This Bette Davis-style Diva, full of ennui and disdain for banality with a wit as dry as her bottomless martini. She is my fantasy version of myself ... if I wasn’t so darned earnest and enthusiastic and I didn’t genuinely like people as much as I do (and didn’t think Vermouth tasted like hairspray). Okay, so nothing like me, but fun to try on, right?

But here’s the rub: I had to sing a song. This immediately disqualified the possibility. Until a timely yoga class changed all that. The focus was the “throat chakra” and our need to express ourselves, to speak our truth — even the difficult truths, to integrate our outer-self (often so carefully constructed to present to the world) with our inner-self that can feel so vulnerable. And I could see the blocks I hold there. Fear alone was holding me back from something I wanted to do, and in my quest for authenticity, that just isn’t a good enough excuse. So I signed myself up for an audition — barely sleeping the three days before it, driving around with windows up, despite the heat, practicing my song. Until the morning arrived ... and guess what?

I didn’t die. Embarrassment didn’t kill me like I thought it would. In fact everyone was very respectful of my attempt. They worked with me, gave pointers, even invited me back for another go. At one point I looked at myself and almost chuckled: eyes closed, hand rising up in a diva-esque power-grip as I belted out this tune (however off-key). It felt pretty darn good.

As soon as the audition was over I realised it had never been about getting the part. It was all about the trying. It’s okay that I’m not a good singer. I had my win.

I see where not speaking up or sharing my truth has had its costs. Too often have I allowed fear of expressing myself to dampen my fire. There is a great freedom and release that comes with leaning into the bravery of allowing our true selves to be heard and seen. It doesn’t have to be brilliant, it just has to be real. There wasn’t an ounce of disappointment when they called to tell me who’d been cast, she’s fantastic and will do that fun part justice. Look out for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone on stage this October. Meanwhile, if you see me at a stoplight singing my heart out, why not roll down your window and join in!

• Julia Pitt is a trained Success Coach and certified NLP practitioner on the team at Benedict Associates. For more information contact Julia on 705-7488, www.juliapittcoaching.com