So here we are, module 3!

 Wow... I cannot believe how quickly the summer break has gone, even though we are all dealing with the craziest situation! it really has been a bit of a whirlwind, and my life has changed quite a bit. From being on tour, which was abruptly canceled, to moving in with my boyfriend during the lockdown, not being able to see anyone, suddenly maybe being able to see people, our whole industry shutting down and getting a new job from home, as pretty much a lawyer! Now trying to balance this new job, with acting starting to come back to existence and module 3 starting; my research topic could not be more relevant!

'How to craft a healthy work-life balance' as an artist.

It has been tough, but I feel like most, this has really given us the time to reflect on what we have, what is important, and the little things. Enjoying the moment and the journey. I REALLY struggle with that, I want to get from A-B NOW and I get extremely anxious when I have to figure out how to/ or if there is a journey involved... probably why I start so many things and never finish them. I believe my patience has really been tested and I hope this will help me going into my last module. 

It has also made me think a lot about creativity and balance in my profession, I had about maybe 2 months maximum before I got a new job and during that time, I did SO MUCH, to try and keep my creative juices flowing, Shakespeare workshops, online plays, zoom readings, movement workshops, set up my own children's youtube channel, edited showreels...I mean whatever it was I did it! I was freaking out during all of it and did not enjoy it until it is too late and BAM back to work and no time to do those things anymore...so for me I have learned/discovered, how important it is to take time and really understand, live in the moment with whatever you are doing, and really try to enjoy the learning and journey along the way. 

This last module will be a challenge;  balancing a full-time job, with acting work and uni work but from applying, getting, and passing my probation in a job that I have no experience in, has made me realize just how able I am and how much I can achieve. I set myself a goal after seeing the module 3 presentations last term, to present something before coming back to finish my last module. My new job has a scheme called 'passion talks' every fortnight, where someone will talk and give a presentation in the company on something they are passionate about outside of work. The whole company login and watch on zoom (80-100) and then ask questions afterward. Everyone has always been brilliant, this petrified me. Although I am an actor, I am so used to learning scripts and having responsibility 'taken away; from me in someways with a write and director, I have them to fall back on, if the piece 'isn't very good', and recently my jobs alongside acting have always been jobs that do not require much thought or responsibility...so I signed up, and said I'd do it... and...I actually really enjoyed it!! Creating it and delivering it, it went down amazingly well, one of the best some people even said! So I am bringing this mindset into module 3 and going at it, all guns blazing... I started module one thinking 'what have I got myself into' and I am now actually enjoying the process along the way!

The pandemic, the black lives matter movement, and working in my new job, that deals with death every day... has made me understand how healthy, privileged, and lucky I am and how much I and all of us have to offer. That I should trust myself and my abilities more and just breathe....