"We don't have to sell tickets to our lives."

"We don't have to sell tickets to our lives." This one is for the long haul creatives and theatre lifers. I see you. I know the grind, the drive, the pressure to build attraction and to constantly fill the seats...but take a moment for yourself. Remember when "flaky artist" was a phrase that stung? Now it's a litmus test for identifying the clueless, yeah? Your talent is real. Your competence is real. Your drive is real. Your passion is a force. Keep going...but in the throes of creating and trying and making magic and building something true, remember this: not many people can do what you do. If you're anything like me, after decades of bending backwards to fill the seats, it's sometimes hard not to apply that to all parts of life. Well, guess what? You don't have to. You don't have to curate your life to please others or make them comfortable. You beautiful, wild, unique creative person. You don't have to fill all the seats. You are so much more. We don't have to sell tickets to our lives!

Deeper exploration:

When's the last time I was able to create without limitations imposed by others?

What can I say to anyone who questions my professional and creative capabilities?

Being authentic doesn't always please an audience. How can I stay strong and authentic instead of twisting to meet the expectations of others?