Each new year brings us the opportunity to make positive changes, embrace better habits, and reevaluate our goals. But equally important, the new year also gives us the chance to let go of the things that no longer serve us. Are you still letting your past hold you back? Here is what we, together, can vow to let go of this 2014…

Let go of the role you didn’t book. You know the one you were so close to booking. You may have been on avail, or even on your way to a fitting! Worst of all, you may have even prematurely told your parents about it. It hurts to let this one go because even having that credit as “an almost” makes you feel like a legitimate actor. Unfortunately keeping that close to you may also cause resentment or bitterness in your heart. Mourn the loss of the role. You would have been perfect. Do the scene one last time for your best friend over a few glasses of wine. But then it’s time to dust yourself off and move on. What is your next dream role? Start prepping for that instead of letting the older memory take up valuable brain space. And if you do find yourself back on the one that got away, remind your mind that every actor needs those stepping stones to get closer to the real, grand prize!

Let go of the “it should have been me” attitude. Jealousy is one sure fire way to get you no where quickly. When the green monster rears it’s ugly head, it’s time to remind yourself to let go of envy and remember that there is enough good for everyone. If you didn’t book it, it wasn’t your role to be had. We have to practice finding joy in other people’s accomplishments regularly. Do it until it becomes second nature. Trust me, your friends will notice and appreciate it. This is your community! It is cause to celebrate when a friend achieves any victory in this crazy business, however big or small. I know this is especially hard to do if your friend doesn’t seemed to have worked as long as you. Or has a sugar daddy boyfriend, a rent-paying parent, model looks, or all of the above. Resist the urge to compare yourselves. You don’t know the details of that person’s strengths or struggles. Instead find happiness for their good fortune. And is they are kind, the better your friends do, the more information they’ll have to share with you. I love the phrase, “Rising tides raise all ships.” When one of us wins, we all do.

Let go of the “frienemy!” That so-called friend who only has time to talk your ear off about her problems before hanging up. The so-called friend who always seems to call you the night before a big callback saying he needs a designated driver to drive him home. These crazy makers will suck you dry of any energy and compassion you once had. If you are a giver, if you are positive, if you are a light, they will seek you out and reel you in by playing on your hear strings. In this new year, free up your time and energy for the people and things that reciprocate your love. I’m sure you given said frienemy plenty of opportunities to show up for you and they’ve not taken them. How many times have you given them solid advice they ignored? Stop wasting your breath and know when it is time to cal it quits. Know they will make you feel tremendously guilty for the break up. But rest assure your new year will be a lot brighter if you let yourself shine without a dark cloud in front of you.

Let go of the self hate. Probably the most important thing to release yourself from is the downward spiral self hate that artists often get caught up in. This is a deep, dark path that you do not want to go down. No one ever improved on themselves by first tearing themselves down limb by limb. Treat yourself like you would a best friend or younger sibling. Practice grace towards your mistakes. Cut yourself a break! Cheer yourself on for getting back in the saddle, however hard you’ve fallen, however long you’ve been wandering off the path. Start to partake in some positive self talk. Write it down, say it in the mirror. Eventually it will sound less ridiculous and more like the truth that it actually is. Know when letting go of self loathing, you may feel a bit like a drug addict going cold turkey. Seriously, it can be that rough. Learning how to positive self talk may feel like learning a foreign language. But once the weight of your own judgement is lifted off of you, you will in fact soar this 2014!

Break legs!
Megan