To be, damn it!

The life of an artist is filled with highs and lows, twists and turns. Somewhere along the way, we all trip over questions about what we are doing and why on Earth we are doing it. There are thousands of people competing for every role, however small, and "no" is the watchword. Workshops are expensive and filled with the unmistakable stench of desperation. Some of us are really only getting a creative fix in a class setting, which is also a hardship on the wallet and fulfilling to none. We try to glean more opportunities by self-submitting everywhere possible, but how many of these breakdowns say that pay is non-applicable or that they will be distributing on YouTube? Really?! But anything beats a cubicle and a dread of Mondays, at least most of the time.

So, how do you beat the doldrums, uncertainties and pitfalls into despair? The good news is, this is not an entirely unique position for artists. The average Joe will question where they are in their lives periodically, and others will struggle to ever find a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Passion will dwindle, fires will cool. What is left at the end of the day? Even if the motivation changes, if the driving need for creative release exists, it must be honored. This is not about fame, but rather hard work, skill and conditioning to be camera-ready. There are countless talented people that never find their way through those important doors. We got agents, made it into the union and have resumes that no one cares about. How can we be in service to our art when the gatekeepers are so savvy at only allowing those in the clique to make it inside the room?

All the doubt piles on until a breaking point is reached and the world goes dark. It's like losing your first tooth. Part of you is dangling there, looking foreign and unwelcoming. The pain is excruciating with no end in sight. You don't want to touch it or look at it or deal with it. Until the tooth finally falls out and upon reflection, you realize that wasn't so bad after all. Even the strongest walls can only withstand so much pressure before they crumble. The silver lining is that new teeth grow in, pain subsides and happiness is always available whenever you are ready for it. My best advice: Turn into the skid and accelerate.