How many of us can take a step back and truly appreciate the good we have done? In my quest to constantly be moving forward I can lose sight of the journey. When people tell me how proud they are of me and the work that I’m doing, I sometimes want to grab their face and shake the shit out of it. “Proud of what?” my neurotic actor brain says. “Can’t you see this razor rocked mountain I have to climb?” “Or how about this pathway made of explosions and fire!?” my irrational anxiety screams.
The truth is being an actor is hard. We are striving for perfection in an imperfect and ever changing art form. At the same time the business side is filled with it’s own shifting set of rules and standards. Trying to balance all of this with the rest of “normal” life can turn an actor into a raw nerve.
But taking a moment to appreciate the journey will help clear that madness away. Look at all the amazing things you have done. That theatre gig or film shoot is not just a credit on the resume or scene for the reel. That acting class or clown workshop is not just something you have to do. It is tangible proof that you are growing as an artist.
These milestones are a realistic way to check in. Not only will it allow for a very serious look at what new things need to be worked on, but it will show the challenges you overcame. We all walk our own specific path to get to acting town. I had to learn how to be proud of my journey so I could keep walking mine.
Remember, every new project or class brings a new set of obstacles that need to be navigated, but without the lessons learned from the past we would fall flat.
Some Actor 