10 Simple Things To Focus on as Production Halts
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Surviving as a freelancer in the entertainment industry is challenging in the best of times. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, it's downright terrifying. That's why I'm focusing on 10 simple things that I can do at home to stay calm and stress-free during this trying time.
We freelancers are used to uncertainty. Many of us even thrive on the unpredictability of our work. That's what makes it exciting, never knowing what's coming up next but knowing that another job is always on the horizon, hopefully one that's even better than the one we just finished. The freelancers who work in live entertainment and in the numerous businesses that support our industry are also facing an uncertain future. The pandemic has left industry freelancers with no work, businesses with few clients and everyone with no clue when things will pick up. Many of us may be turning our hobbies into viable revenue streams if we haven't already done so.
At this moment there are many variables that we can't control in our careers and our lives. However, we can focus on some nurturing for our mind, body and spirit.
10 simple things I'm prioritizing during this stressful and uncertain time:
1. Health
Social distancing can be challenging, but it's an essential component of staying healthy during this pandemic. Don't be misled into thinking that young people won't get sick and socializing in groups is fine. This virus is not a hoax. My hands are a bit raw from all the hand washing, but I'm doing everything in my power to stay healthy and hopefully, so are you.
2. Meditation
The benefits of meditation are well documented. Through advanced brain imaging technology, there's actually measurable physical evidence of the positive effects of meditation on the brain. With daily meditation, you're changing and improving your brain every day. It doesn't cost anything and you don't need any special equipment to do it. Mindfulness meditation, where you focus on something specific such as breathing, results in heightened awareness that's been shown to increase physical and psychological well-being. I've meditated for many years and can attest to its benefits, especially for stress reduction. Our whole society could use a daily group meditation.
3. Fitness
Yes, my gym, yoga studio and Pilates studio are closed, but I'm finding other ways to exercise. The fitness market is saturated with videos and there are fitness apps available, too. Walking the neighborhood and hiking is free. I've been doing a 45 minute walk every day and my ‘Magic Circle' fitness ring has been used more in the past 2 weeks than in the 10 years that I've owned it. The main thing is to keep moving and avoid that cooped up feeling of being stuck indoors, while still maintaining social distance.
4. Entertainment
Comedies rule in my world right now. It's a great time to re-watch your favorite comedy or check out a funny film or TV show you may have missed. Curb Your Enthusiasm is my personal favorite, but musicals always cheer me up, too. I can understand why so many musicals were filmed during the Great Depression. If you want to watch a show about our industry, you can't beat the hilarious Showtime TV series Episodes, starring Matt LeBlanc. The show stopped filming in 2017, but can be viewed on Netflix.
5. Books and Magazines
Remember that book you bought 6 months ago and haven't had time to open? You can probably find time to read it now. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can choose from a vast array of books and magazines to download onto your tablet at no additional cost. The available magazine titles change monthly. You can put up to 10 items at a time into your library. I currently have 3 books and 6 magazines in my library and I'll be changing them out at the beginning of next month.
6. Eating Well
It's so tempting to gorge on sugary snacks now. Between COVID-19 self-isolation and the possibility of running out of toilet paper, everyone seems to be going a bit crazy. But using the time to cook nutritious meals and eat well is an important part of keeping our immune systems strong. There's no craft service to tempt you, so get cooking. Or at least pick up a healthy take out meal from your favorite restaurant.
7. Staying connected to friends and colleagues
Although we've been told to physically isolate ourselves, we can still stay connected to friends and colleagues. Call a friend you haven't seen in a while or email a colleague to see how they're doing. Make use of the excellent networking skills you've spent years honing as an industry freelancer.
8. Creativity
We work in a creative industry and thrive on creative expression. Many of us have been pondering our own projects for years, but never had the time to move forward with them. Use this time as an opportunity to do just that. Keep the creative juices flowing.
9. Sleep
What's the one thing we never have enough of when we're working grueling hours on a production? Sleep, of course. Everyone in our industry is sleep-deprived and it's not healthy. Sleep deprivation can affect our weight, our moods and possibly even our longevity. We now have the luxury of being able to get enough sleep, so take advantage of it and sleep in.
10. Gratitude
There's much to be grateful for, even in our current situation of economic uncertainty and pandemic anxiety. Gratitude empowers us.
While these are difficult times, we and our industry will survive, and even thrive in the future. I welcome your comments and suggestions about what you'd like to see covered in this blog to strengthen our production community and enhance your success and prosperity.
If you need assistance, below are entertainment industry organizations that can help.
The Motion Picture and Television Fund: https://mptf.com or call 323-634-3888
The Actors Fund: For applications actorsfund.jotform.com/
The Directors Guild Foundation: Email [email protected] or call 310-289-2037
Behind the Scenes Charities: https://wp.behindthescenescharity.org/