WELLBEING — Let Curiosity Lead, Not Pressure: Exploring your identity as a performer without the weight of expectation
Let Curiosity Lead, Not Pressure
Exploring your identity as a performer without the weight of expectation
In the world of performing arts, especially when you’re young, it’s easy to feel the pressure to have it all figured out — to know your "type," master your craft, and start building your brand. You might feel like you need to be exceptional now, to stand out, to have a perfectly curated résumé before you’re even sure who you are.
But here’s the truth: your early years as a performer are not about perfection — they are about discovery. This is your time to explore, experiment, and get curious. Let that curiosity lead you, rather than pressure dictate your choices.
Try the things that don’t seem like your "thing." If you’re a dancer, explore acting. If you’re a singer, take a clowning or movement workshop. Learn a musical instrument. Take voiceover classes. Write your own monologue. Watch films from cultures and languages you don’t know. Step outside the routine of classes and explore the vastness of the creative world around you.
Not everything you try will “fit” — and that’s the point. Every experience, even the ones that challenge or frustrate you, helps you understand your strengths, your interests, and your uniqueness. It’s through exploration that you find the joy, freedom, and personal flavour that make your artistry stand out in the long run.
Resist the urge to lock yourself into a box too soon. You don’t need to have a fixed brand, a clear trajectory, or a long list of lead roles to prove your worth. In fact, the performers who shine brightest later are often the ones who gave themselves permission to play in the beginning — who stayed open, curious, and flexible.