Acting is a dream career for many but hardly do people realize that acting can be depressing. We mostly look at famous actors, and their life on the screen seems nothing less than perfect. However, that could not be further from the truth. Being an actor comes with its own share of obstacles ranging from everything you can think about. It can be that all odds are against you or the immense competition of other actors going for the same roles as you.
It does not stop there. Most of the time, deciding to pursue acting comes with many obstacles from your family and friends. They may term it as protecting you, but the lack of support from close family members can be depressing for an actor. It can also be the odds of being at the right place at the right time to secure these important roles. At times, being an actor is depressing.
Your body needs to be depressed. It needs deep rest from the character that you’ve been trying to play.
Jim Carrey
Such reasons can make you feel like becoming an actor is the worst decision of your life. Have you ever, for a minute, thought of how long it took some people to finally get the lead role? Getting a significant role can take you years. Some make it as soon as they enter the acting career, but some have to play extra cast or carry props, repair costumes and get ordered around before they are finally noticed. Now imagine that is you, then couple it up with family and friends bursting your b8bble or not supporting you. Also, bear in mind that you must eat even when you are making n0othing from your acting career. It means you have you take up a side job and work extra hard.
All the reasons make acting depressing and probably your worst mistakes. However, think of these reasons to counter that thought.
- Being an actor is a direct ticket to being extraordinary
Acting is a career like no other. You out-rightly get to live your dream, something most people don’t get a chance to. Acting allows you to explore the unimagined. How long would it take you to save up for a vacation to San Francisco or wherever you dream of going? Oh, and who would have imagined you would move to Los Angeles or New York and flourish? Some things acting allows you to do may seem ordinary, but that cannot be further than the truth. Other careers cannot afford such comfort. There is the beauty of being an actor. - Becoming an actor makes use of your creativity
If you are that cry-baby who wants everything handed to them on a silver platter, then acting will be depressing. Acting requires you to go for those auditions and casting calls and get turned down a thousand times before you can break ground. Acting pushes, you to do some odd jobs like taking up free commercials and volunteering in a school, art plays before creating a career out of it. Have I mentioned that you can be away from familiar people and places for months on end to shoot a script? Acting comes with a whole lot of challenges before you feel you have truly achieved something extraordinary. - Being an actor will make you meet people
What if I am an introvert? Acting is a career where everybody can flourish. Whether you are shy, loud, introverted, or you love loud circles, acting provides an umbrella for everybody. If you choose acting as a career or even a hobby, get ready to meet unusual people. Unusual situations will also be the norm for you. Acting is not a comfort zone. The best thing about meeting people, there is so much you can learn from them. If you are not ready for that acting will be very depressing for you! - Becoming an actor allows you to live your dream
Who could have imagined they would get to play dress up and play preteen as a career? That is where acting stands out. You get to live a life no other career can afford. You can play dress up for a whole lifetime. Did you dream of being a queen one day? Acting can bring that to life. Did you ever think you get to be the CEO’s wife for a day? Acting makes that possible. Being an actor allows you to do things you never thought you would, dress in mind-blowing ways, go places you may never have afforded, or imagine. The list is endless. What grown-up gets to have all that? Being an actor lets you live your dreams while others watch.
Do those reasons make you smile? Remember why someone tries to make you feel like becoming an actor is depressing and wearing that ear to ear grin. These reasons can also come handy when you are having those terrible days at work, like your casting director shouting at you or being ordered around while you could be making life-changing history.
Actors Takeaway:
being an actor is depressing
The best thing about acting is you will never have that choking gut-feeling of “what if” like other careers. Acting lets you live to your fullest. Even with all the depressing m0ments and those that make you feel like giving up, acting helps you lead an extraordinary life. Wherever your career leads you, whether on the red carpet, a casting director, or even owning your theatre, remember it’s a gift of a journey not many get to live.
Acting is more than a career. It’s a journey of a thousand miles. Every step gets you closer to your dream, and you have the power to change your perspective every day. Only creatives like actors get such chances. The best part, you are one of them! So, even if it seems depressing, becoming an actor may still be the best decision you made!
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