As creative therapists for artists, actors, and musicians, we are often asked how to deal with uncertainty about the future.

That's not surprising considering the lack of stability and competitive nature of gig-based work. Artists often doubt whether their works will be well-received. Actors wonder where their next paycheck might come from. And musicians question whether they can book enough gigs to turn a passion project into a stable career.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made things even more uncertain. When COVID hit, many production schedules were pushed back by months (years!), and live events were canceled. Some venues closed indefinitely. The resulting financial pressure on creative workers—not to mention the risk of catching COVID—has made these careers even more unstable than before.

How to deal with uncertainty as an artist or entertainer

Uncertainty is part of life for everyone, but entertainers, freelancers, and other creatives are on particularly shaky ground. Here are five pieces of advice for creatives facing work-related uncertainty:

1. Expect (and plan for) the unexpected

Image of a person recording music - NYC 10003

When you're first starting out as an artist or entertainer, the feast-or-famine nature of the work can come as quite a shock. One week you might pull in hundreds of dollars a day for just a few hours' work; the next, you have zero income.

With time and experience, you'll eventually get into the rhythm of the industry and start to have faith that you'll always manage to find the "next thing." But until you can cultivate that trust, how are you supposed to deal with the anxiety of uncertainty?

One way to prevent anxiety is to mentally prepare for worst-case scenarios. For example, you could keep another source of income on the backburner or set aside rainy-day funds for lean times. To keep yourself busy between jobs, you could plan some cost-effective travel (someone actually does want to sublet your 150 square foot NYC apartment!), do some networking, or invest in a class to hone your skills. The best part of The Keely Group is that we offer online therapy in NYC for when you

We recommend planning for the worst even if your industry feels stable since you never know what might happen. No one expected that a global pandemic would shut down Broadway along with thousands of venues, restaurants, and art galleries. But it happened.

2. Lean into the discomfort

Most people reflexively push away their doubts and fears. They distract and numb themselves, but their unhealthy coping mechanisms end up hurting more than they help. Ultimately, most people realize they need a new strategy. So they end up reading posts like this one, trying to figure out how to deal with uncertainty in healthier ways.

Instead of hiding from fear and doubt, we recommend you face them directly. The next time you find yourself worrying about the future, ask yourself what would happen if you sat with that fear, even for just a few minutes, instead of trying to banish it? Would you immediately drop dead? Or would you still be okay despite your temporary distress (difficult as it really may be)? If you can cultivate the ability to acknowledge and tolerate discomfort, you'll become more resilient.

Image of person smiling and playing guitar.

If you have no idea how to "face your emotions," it may help to ask yourself where they appear in your body. Do you get a stomach ache when you review your bank statement? Do you feel a headache coming on when you find out your entire crew got COVID? Is there a tightness in your chest when you try to imagine your next steps? Becoming more aware of how your emotions show up in your body will allow you to self-regulate in healthier ways, maybe by going for a walk or doing some deep breathing. Mundane (or annoying) as suggestions like taking walks and breathing exercises might be, they’re most annoying because they actually work. Go on, test it out.

3. Show up anyway

It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy when you convince yourself that things won't work out. For example, if you're a musician between gigs, you might decide not to travel to a show in another city because it's not very profitable. As long as you’ll break even and unless you have a better option, we recommend going anyway. You never know—someone key to your future might be in the crowd.

We recommend the same strategy anytime you're unsure whether a social event will pay off (or whether you even belong there). Go to the premier, even if you were only in a small supporting role. Create the song or sculpture that's been calling to you, even if you doubt anyone will appreciate it. Accept that temporary gig to see where else it might lead.

You will probably have to tolerate some discomfort in forcing yourself to show up. But would you rather let your fears dictate your actions or make conscious decisions to improve your chances of success?

4. Get support from people you trust

People in the spotlight often struggle with self-doubt. Talking about these doubts with a trusted partner, friend, or therapist can help you question that voice in your head that asks, "Am I good enough? Will I make it as an actor/artist/musician?"

You can also find friendship, networking opportunities, and support within your working group. By connecting with people who understand your struggles, you may get helpful tips. It can also provide a comforting sense of familiarity to develop these friendships. After all, finishing a show with someone and then seeing them again on the next project can be an amazing feeling! You may become so close with your industry peers that you feel like family.

It can be great to connect with people interested in the same things you are. Just remember that there are risks involved in getting too close to people you don't know well. If you overshare personal information or have a falling out with someone, it could create an awkward work environment. It could even hurt you professionally. So, we recommend being thoughtful about how much you share with your peers, especially if you're in a highly competitive industry.

5. Revisit your values

Following your dream career might mean tolerating a lot more risk than you would in a standard 9-to-5 job. If you're deeply unhappy with this level of uncertainty, it may be worthwhile to revisit your values. Have they changed over time? Or is it still worth it for you to follow your passions?

If you decide to stay the course, making that decision can energize you and give you a renewed sense of direction. On the other hand, if you realize predictability is more important now than before, that realization can help you steer towards a more suitable career that might even be adjacent to your dream.

Just remember: you can always change your mind later. Just because you decide to take a break from your passion now doesn't mean you can't return. Circumstances might change; you might decide to change course. All that matters is to keep moving forward with your consciously determined best-interests in mind.