Caelan Doris admits a part of him feels pressure to “live up to people’s expectations” as he did with a stunning man-of-the-match performance for Ireland against France.
The number eight was a colossus in the 32-19 win, making a ridiculous 118 metres with ball in hand over 18 carries in an impressive performance.
The win also comes after a superb 2022 year with a series win over the All Blacks and a number-one ranking for Ireland.
Pressure on his potential
Doris claims he feels pressure to fulfil his potential, something that is an insecurity, giving a fascinating insight into the mind of a sportsman at the highest level.
“I was just saying to my Mum earlier on that sometimes after a win like that at the weekend, getting a bit more attention – a certain part of me feels pressured to live up to people’s expectations. There’s an insecure part of me that doesn’t feel like I can do that,” Doris told The 42.
“It’s funny. It’s class, my dream job but it does add a bit of pressure and awareness that there’s more eyes on me; sort of ‘How do I deal with this?’”
It’s a fascinating peek inside the mind of a player at the top of his game, and a young man who is fully aware of the value in paying attention to one’s mental health.
“I think everyone has struggles, insecurities, worries and anxieties; the more we can talk about them and get them off our chests the better,” Doris said.
“Personally, I wasn’t very good at it when I was younger. Both my parents are psychotherapists, so it was encouraged quite a lot but I wasn’t good at it at all. It was a bit of a running theme that whenever I was asked I’d just say: ‘I’m fine, I’m fine’ and not give much more than that.
“It’s only the last few years that I’ve gotten better at talking about these sort of things. I’m fortunate that with my parents, it’s their profession, so they’re very good at dealing with that sort of stuff. It’s comforting, but it still can be uncomfortable having discussions with those sort of things.
“I’ve spoken to friends about things more. Even, I was out having coffee with Rónan Kelleher earlier on and was saying I was nervous doing this shoot. Something like that, years ago I’d have kept that to myself. I’d say it was fine.”
Calm person
The number eight has always been a calm and collected person since he was young, a tag he enjoys.
“I kind of, from an early age, learnt to deal with things myself, I was also sort of pretty calm naturally. My parents always say I was from a young age.
“I liked that tag, I didn’t want to forego it for something I felt wasn’t that big. So, if I was feeling sad I’d say to myself ‘I’m fine, calm. I can deal with this myself’. People from the outside couldn’t see it, so it wasn’t necessary for me to say it.
“Now, I realise it’s extremely important that instead of bottling things up and letting them build it’s about having little conversations about everything, that’s important.”
Try not to read
However, despite being calm, the rigours of being a professional star in the age of social media do have their challenge, which Doris has made an effort to combat.
“I actively try not to read too much. Things slip through on social media, on family WhatsApp groups and stuff like that. But, I try and stay clear of as much of it as possible,” he said.
“I also try and think of me as a kid, of how much I’d love this – being where I am. It’s probably something that others would resonate with as well.
“I do therapy every week, partly just out of interest. I studied psychology, my parents are psychotherapists. I’ve been doing that for a year now, I find it beneficial in being more comfortable in my own skin.”
Ireland’s next task is a trip to Italy to face the Azzurri on February 25 after a fallow week for the Six Nations.
READ MORE: England: Ollie Lawrence admits enforced move from Worcester Warriors was a needed change
The article Six Nations: Caelan Doris admits there is pressure to ‘live up to people’s expectations’ appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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