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YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH Riding Waves  By Lisa RiceVoice Actor December 8, 2022 "I have learned now that while those who speak about one's
miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more." - C. S. Lewis In business and life, our days can be flooded with emotion.
Often, we prepare ourselves for situations we know will be difficult. The holidays. A dreaded confrontation. Saying no. Saying yes. Taking on new obligations. Finalizing a difficult but necessary ending. Not getting the job we thought we were perfect for. Asking, "Why?" Asking someone for anything! Other scenarios hit us without warning. Losing a regular customer. Becoming fearful. Fighting an unexpected health issue. Facing a severe illness or death of a loved one. Feeling betrayed, angry, bitter, lonely or discouraged. As voice actors, we deal with sound waves daily. Emotional ones though, are tricky. In a
healthy way, we can draw upon this reservoir to identify with a script because
we've "been there." Yet, in real life, being tossed to and fro by toxic ones
can be risky. RIDING DANGEROUS EMOTIONAL WAVE Several years ago, various circumstances beyond my control
became more than I could handle. From the outside looking in, no one knew I was
riding a dangerous emotional wave. Even close friends and family were unaware
because I had chosen to hide it. Being the strong, stable person others went to
for help had become a source of pride for me. That glass half full description? I usually brimmed over.
Optimism came easy but then…it didn't. Stealthily going through the motions of daily life and
carrying out a plethora of responsibilities became overwhelming. I saw no hope
in sight. I dreaded waking up each day and began viewing life through an
unwelcoming lens. I tried all the helpful things. I ate better. Exercised more. Carved out time for solitude. Read the stack of self-help books beside my bed. Tuned in to countless podcasts. Nothing changed. EXAMINED THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS Then I prayed and asked for wisdom. I committed to study
Scripture on a deeper level, specifically the book of Proverbs. These worked in
tandem with my decision to meet with a licensed, professional counselor. She
and I examined the thoughts and emotions with which I was struggling. We agreed
that my first list of helpful things were good, but came up with other practical
ways my life could be tweaked. Remarkably, things started to change. Slowly, I began
looking forward to the next day … and the next. My outlook had brightened. Some decisions were small. One was big and still affects me
today. Until that point in my life, voice over had been a hobby. It was then
that I decided to dive deeper. I submerged myself in all the information I
could find. I invested in professional training and purchased recording
equipment for a private studio. Lastly, I made it official by becoming an LLC. Ripples of positive change seeped through to other areas of my
life. Emotional gasps for air morphed into a constant mental treading of
stability. THE STIGMA OF GETTING HELP Why do I share this very private chapter in my life? Funerals. Specificially, for suicide and substance abuse. Watching
lives snuffed out too early because of the stigma of getting help. It's easy to see why society doesn't value the importance of
physical and mental health equally. Emotional wellness can't be seen. If we
fracture a bone, we have no problem going to urgent care - yet how foolish of us
to ignore a broken spirit! Why should we be slow to seek help? Embarrassed
even? Surfing the same emotional wave for too long and allowing
ourselves to be tossed about on a sea of hopelessness is dangerous. Seeking
professional help can make a difference.
The only shame? Refusing the support needed to make it to
shore. I came across a graphic that said,
More than
that, I contend each of us has the choice of surfing in a new direction, but
it's okay to ask for help.
------------------ ABOUT LISA
Lisa
Rice landed her first job in voice over at the age of 18, and it has continued
to be the mainstay of her career. She's also worked as a writer, television and
radio producer and on-camera talent. The decision to take her freelance work to
a national level has allowed her the opportunity to voice commercials,
narrations, e-learning projects, promos and telephone prompts for a wide range
of customers including Target, Levolor, Nestlé, Curel, GE Healthcare,
Bristol-Myers Squibb, PBS Kids!, Hungry Jack, CarMax, JC Penney, Arm &
Hammer, Walmart and countless small businesses, non-profits and
ministries. Email: lisa@lisaricevoice.com |
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The feelings you went through are universal and your willingness to share that you HAD them and how you pro-actively DEALT with them will help many people. Well done!
Finally, while not required by all in our professional to achieve success, your honesty in this article is a reflection of your great abilities as a voice actor. We have to be able to be open to the rawness of emotions, sometimes, as voice actors. The good the bad and the ugly. And all of us have all three...sometimes an overabundance of all three ;)
Thank you again.
Best always,
-Peter