Is your life a performance? I used to believe that how I acted would bring me what I wanted. Ever watch a movie where a character acts a certain way to achieve a desired outcome, only to have some plot twist that they didn’t see coming? We do this in real life and blame ourselves, thinking we have control of what is outside of us. We don’t.

We feel like we need an award for doing a good job… doing everything we were supposed to. We need someone to fall madly in love with us, validate us, give us a thumbs up. The bottom line is acting makes you believe you are OWED something. It’s a reward that never comes because you’re not emotionally connected to yourself; you’re totally checked out to your own feelings when you’re focused externally.

Acting is the opposite of authenticity, and a healthy connection with another person can’t happen as long as you’re playing a role. Stop looking for an Academy Award and start relaxing into who you are.