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Hello, humans! This is a new time for all of us. No one can point at another moment in time and say, Oh yes, this is JUST like that thing that happened twenty years ago. Yes, there have been recessions. Yes, there have been other pandemics. But has there been something on this scale? Something that has shut down schools, quarantined people inside their homes, led to millions of people losing their jobs? And all of this happening WORLDWIDE?? No. This is new. This is scary. Howeeeeeever, as artists, we know what it is like to be between jobs. We know what it's like to have financial upswings and financial lows. We know what it's like to be unemployed as we go from job to job. Your mindset, as an artist and especially right now for everyone, is of vital importance. When I get down, I like to remember my 333 rule. It's a dumb name, I know, but I created the rule and can call it what I want, dangit! My 333 rule also keeps me from sinking into the couch and eating Doritos while watching trash reality TV . So that's a win! So, here it is, the 333 rule! Each day, do:
Here are some ideas for ways to work on your business/career: Work on your website Edit your reel Edit your resume Read a play Memorize a monologue Take an online acting class (I coach online, so feel free to reach out!) Do research on your market/brand Update your Show Bible (If you don't know what that is, check out Bonnie Gillespie's blog here) Read a theory book (I have a whole blog post on my favorites here) Listen to an audio play (resource can be found here) Check out the resources I've listed on this blog, including podcasts/interviews/free digital theatre (check out these resources here and here) This is scary, especially right now, but come up with a budget and a system to help you stick to that budget. (Here are some finance resources) Learn a special skill that you can add to your resume--an accent, another language, an instrument! Download sides from Showfax from one of your targeted shows and put yourself on tape. Watch it back and give yourself helpful feedback. Break down/research a character Work on your instrument--do some of your favorite vocal and movement exercises Read a script--you can find TONS online Check out SAG-AFTRA and all the livestreams available for you to watch The list goes on and on, and more ideas are attached here :) 
Here are some ideas for ways to help others:
I'm tailoring these ideas to what can be done during a quarantine. Obviously, there are many more ways to help others, but I'm going to only list the ones that are safe during this time. Check in on your older friends and family members, or anyone who is immune compromised, to see if they need anything. Offer to buy and deliver their groceries so that they aren't putting themselves in high risk situations. Video call a friend who is having a rough time during quarantine. Blast out a small business on your social media. If finances allow, help support a small business by purchasing their products online OR by not cancelling memberships (for example, I am keeping my workout membership while they transition to online classes. It's important for my mindset and my instrument, but it also allows me to support a small business). Send someone a sweet email/text message/social media message to tell them how much you appreciate them. Foster a pet! So many fur babies need homes right now! If you can sew, sew some face masks. Make some disinfectant spray at home and give it to your friends/family who can't find any in stores. Tell your grocery store clerk, pharmacist, mail delivery person, doctors, nurses that you are thankful for their work and their service during this time. Mentor someone new to LA or new to acting (online or via phone, of course) Write your neighbor a card, just saying hello. If going for a walk, smile to everyone you see--while you keep a safe distance, of course. Share an uplifting post or poem on social media. If you have the financial means, here are the ways you can help your community with money donations. Here are some ideas for ways to help yourself: Meditate Do some yoga (I personally like Yoga with Adriene) Get that heart rate going with some HIIT classes (I personally like HIIT House LA, and all their classes are now online and easy to do from home!) Read a book Go for a walk Play with your pet Call your family or a friend Journal Make a gratitude list Do some visualizations Take a bubble bath or long shower Do a face mask Light a candle Watch your favorite film Watch a TED Talk Take an online course at Udemy, Teachable, or Coursera (Yale is offering their most popular class for free! Check it out here) Dive into The Artists Way by Julia Cameron Remember, yall, you are not alone. Big hugs. Lots of love. Take care of yourselves. Take care of each other. Take care of your art.
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