It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling blue when things don’t go as planned… As a performer, whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or working behind the scenes, it’s natural to experience moments of self-doubt and insecurity. These feelings often stem from the overwhelming pressure to meet external expectations and the relentless inner critic that questions, “Am I good enough?” Well, I am here to remind you, YOU ARE!
Self Doubt – It’s a Trap
Negative self-talk. Oh how easy it is to fall into the trap of self-doubt! Perhaps you didn’t receive the feedback you hoped for, or maybe a performance didn’t go as smoothly as you envisioned. The voice inside your head can start to scream and echo a hurricane of doubts: “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll never succeed,” or “I don’t belong here.” Sound familiar? It’s a cycle that is easy to slide into, but extremely difficult to claw your way out of. Truth be told, it can be paralyzing and stifling, making it difficult to find joy in your craft!
*But here’s the crucial truth: Feeling blue as a performer is not a reflection of your talent or worth. It’s a common part of the artistic journey, and overcoming it involves a few key strategies: blocking out others’ opinions and nurturing self-love.
Block Out The Noise
One of the biggest challenges in the performing arts is learning to manage external opinions. Whether it’s feedback from critics, comments from peers, or audience reactions, it’s easy to let these voices dictate how you feel about yourself. But remember, opinions are just that—opinions. They’re not definitive judgments of your value or your potential. It took me a long time to realize this, but once I understood that nobody’s opinion but my own truly mattered, everything changed!
Now, don’t forget that there’s always a balance. Constructive feedback for example, can be extremely valuable for growth. However, it’s important to discern it from negativity that may come from envy, misunderstanding, or simply a mismatch in tastes. Not every opinion is a reflection of your talent or worth. Cultivating a sense of perspective can help you focus on the feedback that truly matters and let go of the rest.
Take in every word (good or bad), but don’t let it define you as a performer. Hold on to what serves you and will help you grow, then let go of the rest! When I was told I would never make it as an actress or a model because “I wasn’t pretty enough / skinny enough”, it hurt like a mo-fo and it took me a long time to let that go. You will never forget what has been said, especially the words that hurt. You can however, understand that they are just words that hold no real value or truth. You are important, talented, worthy and perfect just as you are. Remember that!
Cultivating Self-Love
Self-love. You’ve heard it before and I want to remind you again of how important it really is. Self-love is the cornerstone of overcoming the blues as a performer. It’s about acknowledging and valuing your unique qualities and achievements, even when things don’t go perfectly. Heck, when things aren’t perfect, it can even go better than expected. The magic lies in imperfection!
Embracing self-love means celebrating your progress, no matter how incremental, and recognizing that failure is a part of growth, not a reflection of your worth.
Keep Moving Forward
Feeling blue is a natural part of the performer’s journey, but it doesn’t have to define you or your career. By learning to block out unhelpful opinions and focusing on self-love, you can build resilience and maintain your passion for your craft. Remember, every artist faces challenges, but it’s how you navigate them that shapes your growth and success.
Embrace your unique path, cherish your progress, and always remember that your worth is not determined by any single performance or opinion. Keep shining, keep performing, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself. Your light is needed in the world, and it’s worth nurturing through every high and low.
“Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.” — Les Brown
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