mini advice post: may edition!

Hello peeps! This is the first post in my mini advice column series! These are a few of the questions y'all wanted me to answer. If you need help, you can always reach out!

How to self motivate/stay focused?

Take Breaks: You have to pace yourself when tackling work. If you keep working with no breaks, your brain is going to get tired. However, it's better to take breaks that don't involve electronics. I know it's hard to get off your phone once you get on it. ;) Try going on a little walk, playing an instrument, eating a snack, reading a book, etc. Usually I take a 10 minute break after about an hour of work.

Track your progress: Have a planner that you can track your progress in, or even just talk to your parents about it. Be proud of how far you are getting!

Have a good environment: Make sure you are putting yourself in a situation with no distractions. Put in your phone in a different room, or put a timer on it. Be in something comfortable, and at a desk or an area that you are able to focus.

How to feel confident with auditioning for a musical?

I am SO glad this question was asked! I would first say be super confident in your song you are singing. Know what acting decisions you are going to be making while you sing, if you are gonna do runs, where you are gonna walk, EVERYTHING. That way, you aren't making last minute decisions before or during your audition (because that is super stressful lol trust me). That being said, make sure everything you are doing has a purpose. Don't just do something to do something, there has to be a motive for it, so find out what your character wants and what obstacles are stopping them in the monologue/song you are auditioning with. For the dance audition, just try your best, facials are EVERYTHING, try to be as fluid as you can, and HAVE FUN! Unless it's Newsies or you are going for a super dancy role, you just need to be able to move well and have a great face while doing it. And most of all, HAVE FUN! Auditions are a great learning experience, so don't psych yourself out about it! You got this!

How to deal with rejection?

Rejection sucks. I definitely know what it's like. Here are a few tips I have.

1) Take some time to process and wallow. It sucks, so take how long you need to feel the emotions instead of pushing them down.

2) Talk to people you love about it. It helps to talk about your feelings, so talk to a friend or a family member.

3) Distract yourself. Do things that you love and make you happy!

4) Look toward the future. You cannot control people's feelings. Recognize that it's not their fault for not feeling the same way, AND it's not your fault for feeling sad. You deserve someone who likes and cares about you in the same way you do for them. This is a learning experience. A sucky one, yes, but you have so much time ahead of you to find that perfect person for you. :)

Hope y'all enjoyed the start to this mini advice series! Keep the questions coming!!

xo, emma