What's wrong with you, you creative weirdo?!
- Sherryl-Lee Secomb
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
What on earth is this thing they call ‘change’?
I currently find myself in the position of stuttering the words, “I don’t know what to do” and I am very uncomfortable with it.
Let’s get one thing straight - I am the one who gets things done. I look after everyone else. I’m the one who makes sure people are safe, supported and enjoying their theatre experience.
That also means I’m the one who absorbs everyone’s stress, squeezes it all into a tight ball, sprinkles in my own needs, then tucks that sucker away until after the show, somehow managing to stay away from the red wine. I’m held together by my husband and beautiful production teams (you know who you are).
And yeah, I know that’s not the healthiest approach (I’m working on it), but it’s how I’ve rolled for years and…it no longer works.
Blurg!
I stupidly spent years reading all those leadership and personal development books, telling me I needed to release tasks and delegate. I heard those mentors that said, if I wanted to take hold of something new, something bigger, something I had never done before, then I would have to do things differently.
What? You mean I am not capable of doing everything myself anymore? I have gone through the last 15 years of my career doing all the things pretty darn well, thank you very much!
Have you, Sherryl-Lee?
Have you, really?
You were good at all the things because you had to be. But that doesn’t mean they were meant for you. Now you’re moving into a new room; a new way of working, with a new group of mentors and you feel pain. The pain of change.
You’re realising that you have to move away from the comfort of knowing what’s coming, letting go of roles and tasks that you built a career on.
You’re realising that you are moving into a season that allows you to focus on what has always been your first love - empowering, encouraging and equipping creatives to create from who they are as people first, artists second.
Weirdo!
No, seriously, Sherryl-Lee. You’re a creative weirdo. Of course, you’re surrounded by other wonderful creative weirdos, and you get to do this for life.
I’m writing this in a rehearsal room, while six top class classical musicians play through William Walton’s 'Facade'. I’m watching my sexy husband conduct (what a cutie) and I get to sit here and marvel at the skill of these people.
Who gets to do that?!
We do.
This is the sort of thing you and I get to do in our creative lives.
All of us find ourselves in creative situations where we ask the question, “Is this real? Am I allowed to do this amazing thing?” Yes! Yes, you are!
Then you get on a bus and travel home, clean out the cat’s litter box and eat a bowl of instant noodles. What a life!
So, Sherryl-Lee, tomorrow morning, when you’re drinking your coffee and questioning your life choices for the 60 millionth time - this week - remember that the things that got you to this point will not take you forward. Be strong and courageous and grab hold of what’s in front of you and release those things you know need to go.
[Cue the Hans Zimmer score]
[Wide shot of Sher raising her sword and riding away on her trusty donkey!]
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