Breaking Into Acting With Anxiety, A Practical Guide
In life, there are many habits and hobbies we’d like to explore but may feel barred from due to our personal lifestyle or sense of self not being compatible. These limits are often self-imposed and can only be overcome by pushing past those false impressions.
For example, it may be that a tough, strong guy on a construction site has dreams of learning to dance ballet, but is worried about what others in his field may think of that. Of course, he has nothing to prove to those detractors, and shouldn’t feel bad about chasing his vision.
You may also worry about not being skilled or capable enough. Perhaps you’d like to start a humble folk band but aren’t so skilled in your guitar playing as of yet. That’s fine, it will come with time.
Sometimes, the hobbies or activities you’d like to express yourself with trigger your anxiety too much to comfortably do. For example, acting. Acting is a wonderful form of art, allied naturally with literature, poetry, and even musical theatre, and is a great release for many people. Some actors even use it as a shield.
But what if you hope to get into acting with deep anxiety, something that may only hinder your performance or cause you undue stress trying to involve yourself in your hobby? It could cause you to put off, for years, a hobby you once loved or feel deeply invested in.
Never fear, because in this guide we’ll offer some vital advice to help you fall back in love with your craft, and for those potential experiences to fall back in love with you, despite your current challenges:
Addressing Your Anxiety & Its Impact
First, it’s important to seek help for your anxiety if you’re struggling with it. It may seem as though the right acting group and focusing headlong on a new hobby can “fix it,” but that’s not always the case.
Finding mental health treatment is the first step on a journey, but it’s a journey that helps you learn more about yourself and find better methods of coping. The recovery methods you may integrate can differ, for some, it’s exposure therapy, for others, it’s finding the medication they need.
At the very least, you will know that the core issue you’re struggling with is being addressed. Don’t let the idea of the “tortured artist” cause you to ignore personal issues as if they were necessary for making great art or learning your craft in the best way, as things rarely work quite like that.
It will also help you avoid more difficulties like freezing on stage or having trouble introducing yourself to a new acting troupe. You’ll thank yourself for your efforts later on down the line.
Consider Healthy Pre-Acting Habits
Many actors have their rituals that help them feel better about themselves before they go to rehearse or head out on stage, and you get to cultivate your own, too. For some, that might involve exercising before they head to their hobby class, while some may appreciate meditation and mindfulness.
Good habit-setting is also about learning what to avoid as opposed to what to keep up on. So for example, some actors might feel better with some liquid courage, but your anxiety may be even more pronounced when exposed to alcohol. You may have the same response to coffee, instead preferring a comforting green tea when heading to your hobby group. Little rituals like this make all the difference, and only you can tell if a particular habit is worthwhile for your needs.
Browse Herbal Supplements (Visit Your Physician First!)
Some herbal supplements can help you feel better in the moment without necessarily dulling you or causing the same kind of side effects that pharmaceuticals can. That said, make certain to visit your physical before implementing any and all supplements into your diet.
Some over-the-counter products you may find beneficial could include valerian root or ashwagandha, two herbal remedies known to help soothe feelings of mild anxiety on a short-term basis. It’s important not to ingest these continually, but to help you get over the hump of the worst experiences you might have and move on from there.
This might not work for everyone, but if you’re desperate for a little breathing room, natural supplements like this could grant you what you’re looking for.
Find A Supportive Hobbyist Acting Community
Of course, the people around you can influence your sense of well-being and belonging, too. Local hobbyist drama or improv groups can be fun to join and are often stocked with new people a little nervous to begin as well.
You’d be surprised at how admitting you’re nervous can ingratiate yourself to other people because even seasoned actors can feel a little worried when on stage. Finding a group that welcomes newcomers and offers diverse, friendly members will help you ease into your new hobby, and learn more about your local circuit. Sometimes, it’s just jumping in the deep end like this that helps you understand there was nothing to fear in the first place.
Sure, this might not be the end-all solution for those with anxiety, as anxiety isn’t always rational. But the effort may certainly make a difference worth considering. Just take it easy, and gently move into the scene.
Curate Realistic & Healthy Acting Goals
You don’t have to be Laurence Olivier to express your acting chops and have fun. You may just volunteer for the local free production that your acting troupe is putting on, in a small role. You can also immerse yourself in the culture of your local acting group, such as by helping to paint the set and organize the costumes.
Being realistic and learning little techniques like emotional authenticity, how to act with someone as opposed to at them, and how to sight read with a script in hand will help you during your acting hobby, and also feels fun to learn how to do.
In other words, you’ll realize there’s so much more to learn than simply being a leading person on a stage in front of hundreds. Starting from the bottom and developing your bearings can be so much healthier than anything else, and in the long run, you may be surprised just how much confidence you build from the ground up.
Embrace Your Own Unique Perspective & Remain Unapologetic
One of the biggest anxieties of acting is that you won’t be good enough, or that you’re somehow incorrect in how you’re expressing yourself. In other words, to act is to seek validation for the most part, and not just as a social benefit, but to understand your craft and how it’s correctly connecting with an audience.
That’s a lot to take in with someone who may have anxiety. But one of the biggest and best methods of getting through that is to trust yourself. Trust that if something doesn’t work, your acting troupe will tell you. Trust that your unique perspective is worth hearing. Also don’t be afraid of looking silly or making mistakes, quite literally everyone does it.
From there, you may find a kind of refuge in acting. Because it’s a developing art, you don’t have to hit all the right notes all of the time. This often leads to the best performances. If you fall in love with that process, you’ll notice that the social aspect of your anxiety can dissolve, given enough practice.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily break into acting even if you have anxiety. You deserve to enjoy your hobbies no matter the challenges you’re going through.
