Beat the burlesque blues
I think getting disenchanted and loosing some love for burlesque is really normal. Many performers have mini 'breaks' in their career
If you think it's only you. It's definitely not. Especially had a big project on (or maybe a row of really crummy gigs) I think the adrenaline quickly wears off and you have a strong comedown.
There's not a quick fix solution. But for my ten cents worth there are a few things that you can do if you're getting down in the dumps about performing.
Have some personal time
If you don't have it already. Have a performer social media identity (duh!). But give yourself a personal one too. Some performers don't differentiate between burlesque and 'real life'. That's not a decision I can make for anyone. And if you are a full time performer you probably live and breath your business. But if you don't have a profile for close non burlesque friends and family, consider it. Have a space where you can complain about your shows; see normal life, and connect over other things (you know the other parts of our life!).
Avoid rash decisions and switch off social media
Feeling crummy or having a bad run on stage? Take a breather. But I'd hold off making a rushed Facebook post that you are quitting burlesque. And hold off selling your costumes and deleting your website.
Switch off social media. Get a mate to change your password and lock yourself out. If you get caught up by keyboard warriors. Or find that you log on at 9am and suddenly your day has whizzed by, take a break. Especially at night. Set your phone on silent, stick it on a charger on the other side of the room and make it harder on yourself to get distracted.
Look at all the channels you might manage! Have a social media detox!
Have a Hobby or Volunteer
Get a non burlesque hobby. My life improved ten fold when I stopped making burlesque my be all and end all outside of my day job. For me it's Bikram Yoga, my dog, a serious film obsession, and a circle of friends that can talk non burlesque with me. And hanging out with my burlesque friends but not talking burlesque.
Don't have a hobby? Get into a pattern of walking or reading. Something outside the DVD box set/television. Go volunteer for something.
My point is that if you centre your life around one thing, and it starts to go haywire, it's easy to feel like you are spiraling out of control. If you have a few points in your life to go to, you can give yourself more balance. And you will have people in your life that can give you a different perspective if you need advice.
Review your set list
Take some time to reflect on your performances. Have an honest appraisal of your numbers. Is there one that stresses you out every time you go to perform it? One that seems jinxed for you? Or something you created but just aren't in love with or feel passionate about. Maybe it's time to put those ones on the back burner. Or book a workshop with a performer you admire and get some help reforming the act and making it something you love again.
Plan Ahead
I always get a post show comedown. Especially if it's been something that I've had in the pipeline and been looking forward to for awhile. Even at the end of a show, I can feel the blues settling in because all the work/ anxiety/adrenaline has passed and my brain goes automatically into evaluating what went wrong or what could have been better.
So now I like to plan something fun the day or a few days after a show. From as simple as a brunch date with someone I love right up to a mini break away. Something planned that I can jump into rather than feeling that 'nothingness' after an event.
Crunch Time
If you've done some of these things and had some time out and still aren't feeling the burlesque love. Then do a serious re-evaluation. Again I'm not in favour of rash decisions, especially for an interest/hobby/career you may have had for many years. But you may have to do the hard yards to find out why you're having a slump:
Remember why you became interested in burlesque. The first show you saw. What attracted you to it? Why have those feelings or interests changed? Is it a performer you need to reconnect with? Or are you feeling like there are too many gigs
Where are you performing? Is it all corporate gigs and private events? Or all small shows, with nothing large to look forward to? Or are you in a venue where you hate the owners or the patrons?
Who are you working with? Seriously reconsider toxic performers. There is no money in the world to make up for working with some dipshits.
Have you talked it through with a performer who you trust? Find someone that may be has been through this before and who will cut through the bullshit with you. It doesn't need to be your best pal. Perhaps there's someone you admire and have worked with before that is slightly removed from your circumstances, and that can give you some impartial advice.
Anyone else get the burlesque blues? What are your tips?