Simple Strategies to Beat the Doldrums and Reignite your Creative Fire
🧠Mindset: How to Nurture Your Well-being in a Challenging World
The entertainment industry is a rollercoaster with exhilarating highs and disheartening lows. Coupled with the constant hum of global events, it's easy to find ourselves feeling blue. But the hallmark of a successful entertainment professional is knowing how to keep moving forward no matter how many obstacles stand in the way. We need to navigate the inevitable setbacks and keep the creative fire burning, even when the world feels dark.
So, how do we combat the blues? Here are some mood-elevating suggestions designed to help you recharge, reconnect and reignite your creative spark.
Gather together and embrace your personal posse. Our clients know all about the importance of having cheerleaders. These are the people you call on when that long-awaited project falls through, or when you’ve been crying too long over that glass of wine, or need a friend to cry with you. Cheerleaders can offer you a safe place to vent and a virtual hug or—better yet—one in real life.
Give back to your community. Pick an organization that reflects your values and do something to support it. Sending money is one tangible thing, but volunteering can be more rewarding. I often cook and deliver meals to friends and community members who need help. One family we know relies on the local food bank and welcomes the home-cooked dinners and desserts I drop off.
Host a meet-up. Plan an informal, in-person gathering of friends and colleagues who may also need some cheering up. Ask five people you know well to bring one person you don’t know. Make it a potluck and instead of assigning dishes, ask everyone to surprise you. It doesn’t matter if you serve chips, dips and cookies. The point is to get people out of their homes and into yours. If you can’t accommodate a group, meet at a cafe or in the back room of a local restaurant. If your goal is to meet more people in the entertainment industry, invite colleagues who know people you want to connect with.
Clean up your room. Buy a new calendar and file folders. Organize your projects and your desk by tossing out what you don’t need. I love making charts and lists on cardboard or big sheets of paper. I use colored markers for each project and make to-do lists with dates and deadlines. You’ll feel more in control and less confused if your workspace is organized.
Read something new. Read any novel by Alexander McCall Smith. His characters are charming detectives with quirky and complicated crimes to solve. Buy used books at shops supporting local libraries. Visit a bookstore and grab a few magazines on topics you know nothing about. I promise this is a wonderful distraction and will give you interesting things to share at your next gathering.
Go away. Plan a short getaway to recharge your batteries. I don’t remember where I heard this, but I love this bit of advice: A change is as good as a rest. No matter where you live or how much money you have to spend, you can find a train, bus or flight to get you out of town to clear your mind for a few days.
Look up. Walk outside and look up. This is a special month, where on a clear night, we can see the moon and all the planets except Neptune. Looking into the cosmos reminds us that we are not really the center of the universe and helps us put our worries in perspective.
The entertainment industry is a marathon, not a sprint. It demands resilience, tenacity, and a deep well of inner strength. By prioritizing self-care, looking after your community and actively seeking inspiration and human connection, you can not only survive but thrive. Your creativity is a valuable asset, and it deserves to be nurtured. So try these strategies, find what resonates with you and keep moving forward, one step at a time. The world needs your stories, your art and your unique perspective now more than ever.
