A Burlesque Performer Survival Guide for the Silly Season!
I’m writing this post as December draws near. For many of us this means the silly season / holidays season is upon us…. whatever your term might be.
Its just a moment in time where you often get stretched between:
Christmas events for work, family, friends
End of year performances
Rehearsals
All the social get togethers
All the school leavers / sport wrap ups/ dancing concerts
December is here, which means the silly season is officially upon us.
So its not just performing. Its all the bits and pieces that often wrap around that.
In fact I find that its often when performing or teaching might slow down a bit - but I’m still in that heavy planning or preparation mode ready to fly into the New Year.
And of course I’ve usually decided that sticking SS10 rhinestones on a high heel was a great idea.
So, if you are a bit like me and feel the burn out approaching, here are my top tips for making it through December with your sanity, sequins and love of performing intact.
Let’s just hope I take my own advice!
# TIp 1. Don't say yes to absolutely everything
It's easy to get swept up in the excitement of opportunities, particularly when there are end-of-year shows and events happening everywhere. But you don't have to perform at every event, attend every party or start three new acts before January. And I am really fond of the notion that if you haven’t seen someone all year, you don’t need to move heaven and earth to ‘catch up’ before the end of the year.
Tip# 2. Give your costume some love
If you have a lot of upcoming performances, dedicate a window to do some repair and maintenance. It can be a good time to try and double up on any acts you might be performing - rather than juggling three or four different ones. Try and stick to one that you can rotate over your shows or bookings. Or I find at the holiday season when everyone is looking for a Christmas act, that I might switch up the song choice or style a bit - but ultimately keep the costume the same.
Having a break? I LOVE THIS. And honestly sometimes financially and time wise saying no to a few shows can be a good call. If you have a night up your sleeve it might be a good time to pick a costume that needs repair and go into the New Year feeling like you have one less bit of maintenance to do.
#Tip 3. Being busy isn’t important
I think a big part of surviving the holiday season is mindset shifting. It can be easy to feel like being busy = being important or being more loved (not to get too deep or psychoanalyse anyone). But just remember that your life isn’t more validated by being busy. If you aren’t doing a thousand parties, shows or catch ups, remember that this doesn’t lesser your value. And actually this can be amazing! Creative ideas need room to breathe. Sometimes watching a movie, listening to music, going for a walk or doing absolutely nothing is exactly what you need.
#Tip 4. Show your body some kindness
We could file this under many MANY posts and discussion I have in real life about body awareness and our relationships with our bodies. I say in classes and workshops that I’ve spent 15 years or more teaching predominantly women. And how much I observe broadly how hard we are on ourselves. How much internal dialogue we absorb about how we are meant to look.
I could go on!
But often I see with my students that this time of the year can exacerbate those anxieties. And I would be lying if I said that I can definitely be succeptable to this too. It’s a time period often full of social events, food, parties and comparisons. And so my reminder to you and myself that you don’t need to ‘earn’ food or work extra hard to compensate.
I’m definitely all for taking a gym or yoga class or a walk. But that can be for your mental health, for taking break or just getting some joyful movement. Don’t get caught up in feeling like things are ruined if you have some extra Chocolate Ripple Cake or a few more cocktails. Your costume will be there in the New Year.
#Tip 5. Celebrate the little wins
Don’t leave it til the New Year to acknowledge yourself. Maybe you performed your first solo, created an act you're proud of or simply found the courage to get up on stage.
Or it might be something non performance related - making new friends, discovered a new style or realised that burlesque is something you want to keep exploring.
Whatever your wins look like, take a moment to acknowledge them.
You don't have to be the biggest name on the bill to have had a successful year.
My final advice? Remember you can take time off. It’s highly likely you are not that important and amazing that some stuff can’t wait for you. Burlesque should bring you enjoyment - like any job or hobby. We do things that might challenge us or frustrate us - but ulatimeyl bring us a lot of enjoyment. Don’t let the pressure to do everything and be the most take away from your experience of the holiday season.
Have a think about what fills your cup up. The holidays might be a time for a bit of solitude and need for aloneness or processing grief. It can be a social time and a space to prioritise seeing friends and loved ones. It might be all about family and making them feel special.
Or a mix.
Whatever it is, let me say you are allowed to take some time to do things that will leave you feeling revived and ready for whatever the next year brings.
Grace Cherry
Owner, Miss Kitty’s Meow