Letting go is one of those phrases that sounds peaceful in theory but feels almost impossible in practice (at least for me anyway)… And I think that if you’re an creative/entertainer, you’ll feel this big time too.
We are taught to hustle, to stay visible, to keep going no matter how tired, uncertain, or overwhelmed we feel. But at the same time, we are also not taught to treat what we do as as legit business. We’re trained to chase momentum, worry about the next opportunity, and constantly ask ourselves whether we’re doing enough to stay relevant. Letting go can feel like the opposite of survival.
And yet, some of the most transformative moments in my life and career didn’t come from pushing harder, but actually from finally releasing my grip (which is a tight one by the way.)
This reflection post was born from a quiet, unexpected moment in the water. One that reminded me how powerful it can be to slow down, be present, and allow life to meet you where you are.
The Moment That Reminded Me About Letting Go
Recently, I had an experience with a manatee that felt like such a blessing. This sweet and curious creature came up to say hello and it was one of the most wonderful moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.
I knew the rules. I knew the importance of keeping my distance and not touching (although I desperately wanted to give this gentle giant a big kiss and hug). And while every part of me wanted to stay there forever, letting this gentle being snuggle up beside me, I also knew the moment wasn’t about holding on.
No. It was actually all about presence.
Floating there, watching this peaceful creature move with such ease as it investigated my flippers, something inside me let go. All the noise (the mental to-do lists, the worries about work, the constant calculating that entertainers do), washed away.
For a brief moment, I wasn’t thinking about
- Where my next paycheck would come from
- Whether I was doing enough or if I was even “good enough”
- Or whether I was secretly an imposter pretending to belong in the creative world
I was simply there, enjoying this enchanting moment. And that experience became a powerful reminder that we don’t always need answers… we need space. We will have our good days and our bad. Good things will come and go. There will always be something that needs to get done and sometimes we won’t know how to do it, and that’s ok!
Let it go and move on. Even if it’s just for a day. When you let go, things have a way of falling into place! (If you want to see my manatee moment, you can watch the video from this experience on my YouTube Channel here, or just below.)
Why Letting Go Is Especially Hard for Entertainers
Unless you have already made it in the industry, it’s a given that entertainers live in a state of constant uncertainty.
We worry about:
- Booking the next job
- Being forgotten if we slow down
- Comparing ourselves to others who seem to be “winning”
- Wondering if the dream is still realistic or if we need to give up and find a day job to pay the bills
This industry rewards visibility, productivity, and momentum, but it rarely teaches us how to rest without guilt or trust without proof.
Letting go, in this context, can feel dangerous. The imposter syndrome is real and trusting the process can become extremely difficult as years pass by with little to no reward.
You might even start to feel your creative clarity start to dwindle and hear yourself say things like:
If I stop pushing, will everything fall apart?
If I rest, will I miss my chance?
If I loosen control, will I lose momentum?
But the truth is, control is often an illusion. We cling to it because it feels safer than uncertainty, even when it’s slowly draining us. Just like I couldn’t control the manatee coming up to say “hello”, you can’t control how your future is going to play out as an actor.
Letting Go Is Not Giving Up
One of the biggest misconceptions about letting go is that it means quitting. However, I don’t believe that’s the case.
Letting go doesn’t mean you stop caring about your craft.
It doesn’t mean you abandon your goals, and it doesn’t mean you lose your ambition.
Letting go means:
- Releasing the pressure to have everything figured out
- Allowing yourself to exist beyond productivity
- Trusting that your worth isn’t tied to constant output at little or no cost
For creatives and performers, this shift is necessary. Slowing down and letting go is your chance to find yourself while learning to trust the process again!
The Cost of Holding On Too Tightly
When we refuse to let go, it often shows up as burnout, creative blocks, anxiety, and self-doubt. That’s where some of us get stuck.
I’ve noticed that the more tightly I grip outcomes, the more disconnected I feel from the very reason I chose this path. To create, to express, to feel alive, and to help others along the way.
Letting go is not weakness. It’s a return to your truth, and an opportunity to re-align yourself moving forward.
Slowing Down to Find Creative Clarity
That moment with the manatee reminded me of something essential: clarity comes in stillness, not force.
When we slow down (even for just a brief moment), we create space for:
- Clarity – which will help shift your creative mindset
- Emotional regulation – to help you get out of your head
- Inspiration – a revived way to unlocking your potential as an artist
As entertainers, we often believe slowing down will set us back. But more often than not, it resets us!
Some of the best ideas, decisions, and shifts I’ve made didn’t come from frantic effort, they came from quiet listening. I’d be shocked if it wasn’t the same for you too.
Letting Go of What’s Out of Your Control
There is so much in this industry we simply cannot control:
- Casting decisions
- Algorithms
- Timing
- Other people’s opinions…
Letting go doesn’t mean pretending these things don’t matter, it means refusing to let them dominate your nervous system.
When you release what’s out of your hands, you reclaim energy for what is within your control:
- Your preparation
- Your integrity
- Your creative joy
- Your self-care
That shift alone can change everything!
Imposter Syndrome and the Need to Let Go
Imposter syndrome thrives when we’re constantly measuring ourselves against invisible standards. We constantly wonder if we truly belong or if we aren’t good enough to live out our dreams.
Letting go, in this context, means releasing the belief that confidence comes from external validation.
Confidence grows when you allow yourself to be human (I know, with AI in full swing, this is a whole different topic), but when you embrace who you are and keep learning, evolving, and embracing your imperfections, you will continue to grow!
You don’t need to prove your worth every single day. You are enough. So go ahead and let-go my friend!
Letting Go as a Creative Practice
What if letting go wasn’t a one-time decision, but a practice?
A daily choice to:
- Pause instead of panic
- Breathe instead of spiral
- Trust instead of force
Sometimes letting go is as small as stepping away from your phone.
Sometimes it’s saying no.
Sometimes it’s resting without a plan. (This is the most difficult for me)
And sometimes, it’s floating in the water, watching a gentle creature pass by, and remembering that life doesn’t always need your interference.
For Anyone in a Season of Uncertainty
If you’re reading this while feeling stuck, tired, or unsure, I hope that you remember this:
You are not behind.
You are not failing.
You are not broken.
You may simply be in a season where letting go is asking for your full attention.
Trust that slowing down will not erase your dreams.
Trust that what’s meant for you won’t require self-abandonment.
Trust that presence is productive in ways we can’t always measure.
A Gentle Invitation
If this reflection resonated with you, I invite you to sit with one question:
What am I holding onto that’s asking to be released?
You don’t need to answer it right away… Sometimes the act of asking is enough to begin!
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. If you’d like to learn more about who I am and what I do as an entertainer, please feel free to stalk my site and let me know if I can ever help you!
