Performance Artists, Mental Health, and the Pandemic

Pursuing a career in the performing arts can be mentally and emotionally exhausting, and during the pandemic that exhaustion has reached new heights.

To those of us who chose to pursue a career in music or acting, we already knew that the road would be difficult. No one said it would be easy (and if they did, they didn't know what they were talking about or were lucky enough to not struggle for long.) I'm grateful to have been surrounded and trained by professionals who are really good at what they do, kind, and also honest about the truth of pursuing a career in performance.

While the road to success is different for everyone, two things are certain: Your love for what you do and the work you can put into it. But, with the pandemic a new level of uncertainty has spawned. 'How can I pursue my acting or music career when the world is on a stand-still?' 'How can I perform when performances are so scarce?' 'How can I continue to network?' 'How can I keep improving?' While we can keep doing all of these things online/virtually (auditioning, performing, networking, training, etc.) I want to focus in on another question today: 'How do I keep going when my mental health is slowly plummeting?'

I'm no psychologist or counselor but its no secret that pursuing a performance career during the pandemic can at times be downright depressing. This whole pandemic has been completely depressing. There has been so much pain and suffering everywhere we look. --In the world, in our country, in our hometowns, and even sadly in our own families.

For some of us, one of the healthiest things we can do right now is continue to stay involved as best we can. For other artists out there though, you may have reached a point where it is too painful to keep pursuing your goals-- at least for right now, because you may be at a point where you have found yourself feeling gradually or even completely bogged down from the emotionally and mentally taxing weight of this pandemic. I'm here to gently remind you that it is OK to take a break. It is OK to inhale a cleansing breath, exhale, and give yourself GRACE. It is OK to take a step back from pursuing your goals and dreams to take CARE of your mental and emotional health. Because guess what? It doesn't make you a quitter or a loser. It doesn't mean that you don't care about your goals. It means that you're taking care of yourself and that is the STRONGEST and most COURAGEOUS thing you can do for yourself.

So, wherever you are at today make sure you're taking time to check in with your emotional and mental health. Make sure you're practicing self-love. Call your friend. Call your sibling. Listen to your favorite podcast. Read a book. Nourish your body. Watch a show that makes you laugh. Try a new recipe you've been wanting to make. Go on a walk. Do some Yoga with Adriene at https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene Shade in a coloring book. Draw. Write. Journal. Cry a little if you need to. Breath. Close your eyes. Meditate. And most of all, be kind to yourself.