WELLBEING — Finding and Remembering Your “Why”
Finding and Remembering Your “Why”
Life as a performer—and as a human—is full of highs, lows, and moments of doubt. The rush of auditions, rehearsals, and deadlines can make you lose sight of what really matters. That’s where your “why” comes in: your purpose, your guiding star, the reason you get up and keep going even when things feel hard. Having a clear purpose is vital for mental health. It reduces stress and anxiety, builds resilience, and gives direction. By knowing your values, setting goals, and engaging in meaningful activities, you can stay grounded, motivated, and more satisfied in life.
Why Your “Why” Matters
Your “why” is more than a motivational phrase. It’s the foundation of your decisions, your energy, and your creativity. When you know your why:
You can make choices that feel aligned, not just convenient.
You stay grounded when external validation—auditions, reviews, likes—fluctuates.
You reconnect with passion even when challenges arise.
Without it, it’s easy to drift, burn out, or feel like your efforts lack meaning.
How to Find Your Why
Reflect on Your Passion – Ask yourself: What first drew me to performing? What makes me excited to create? Look beyond accolades or recognition—focus on what lights up your soul.
Consider Your Values – Your why often aligns with what matters most to you: honesty, creativity, connection, joy, or impact. Identify your top values to see where your purpose lies.
Look at Your Impact – How does your work affect others? Even small gestures—a smile, a heartfelt performance, encouragement—can reveal a bigger purpose you might not see in the moment.
Write It Down – Articulating your why in a sentence or two helps it stick. Keep it visible: on your mirror, in your journal, or on your phone.
Remembering Your Why
Even when you’ve found it, life can make your why feel distant, or you can lose sight of it altogether when stress, panic and struggles kick in. Here’s how to reconnect:
Pause and Reflect – When you feel lost, take a moment to ask: Am I acting from my why right now?
Celebrate Progress, Not Just Outcomes – It’s easy to focus on the end result: landing a role or receiving praise. Instead, honour your effort, growth, and the joy of creating.
Reconnect With Your Inspirations – Watch performances that inspire you, revisit music or scripts that moved you, or spend time with people who energise you creatively.
Journal Your Wins and Gratitude – Regularly noting what you’ve achieved and what you’re grateful for keeps your purpose alive, even when the path feels uncertain.
A Performer’s Perspective
Performing is inherently vulnerable. Your why is your anchor amid rejection, stress, and the fast pace of the industry. When you step on stage or into an audition, connecting with your why transforms technique into story, presence, and authenticity. It reminds you that you’re not just doing tasks—you’re creating meaning.