Hi all,
Just wanted to follow on from Chelsea Kauffman's great TLCC2018 forum thread. Living with anxiety and depression can be a difficult ask especially when we are under the intense pressures we get in the arts world such as Presales, Opening Nights and the holiday season. If you have a story you'd like to share, or just some comradery, feel free to share below.
I'll quote Chelsea (hope that's OK) as she said it better than I can.
"So how do you handle being a professional and having a mental illness? How do you cope with insecurities, anxieties, depression, and fear without destroying your team’s confidence in you or without throwing in the towel?
Tell me your story. How do you survive? How do you manage?
I just want to know I’m not alone and that there is a bright future and that I’m doing okay."
I'm our organisations Ticketing, Data Analysis and Tessitura Admin departments so there never seems to be an off season for me.
Chookas (as we say in Oz),
Heath
Michaela-- I am exactly like that too. By which I mean, a "high-functioning" shy person/ "high-functioning" anxious person.
You wouldn't really know it by talking to me. Like you, I try to be very energetic and friendly (albeit, a touch awkward) when talking to people. I have trouble inserting myself into others' conversations, but I don't have much trouble when someone addresses me directly.
All the constant activity and socializing and being in "on-mode" all day really takes a toll on me, though. Going by light-bulb metaphors, I don't so much burn out as I get super-charged and then explode.
I'm going to have to take some quiet time each day to try and come down off the high a little at a time.
100% with you. One of my de-stress techniques when I need a couple of minutes is to play solitaire. Seems silly, but a deck of cards is pretty easy to keep in a bag, and I don't need a lot of room for it. Plus, just the name makes me a little calm.
I identify as a high functioning introvert as well. I can play the social game most times but it takes a mountain of energy and leaves me very drained. It can also lead to a emotional crash which is manageable when I plan for it.
I find great way to balance networking out at TLCC is to have a one-on-one lunch catchup every now and again. I like to set clear timings because I get overly anxious about politeness. Then there are the times it takes me an hour to work up the nerve get out of my hotel room.
If I feel the social overload coming on it can be good to grab someone for a walk and talk. Changing the environment and having one point of focus with out agenda can be effective at riding out the comedown.
The Tessitura staff that's tasked with planning the conference is following this thread with awe and care. All of these responses are what make the Network so incredible. Heath has pointed out that we have added some intentional spaces for you to not feel the pressure to talk, to have permission to unplug and gather your thoughts. As many people have pointed out, it isn't possible to do everything and for those of who design the schedule, we want you to have multiple opportunities to choose from and make the conference your own. This doesn't mean attending everything. If your brain is on overload it can't take in new information. We are eagerly reviewing the latest research in our efforts to continually improve TLCC. That said, you are the best feedback we can receive. Please let us know what's working and what isn't as we try to create a welcoming and comforting space for you to grow.
We can't wait to see you all in Chicago!
Everyone, if I proposed an Open Space discussion for tips on managing burnout during and after conference, would any of you be interested?
Hi Shelly,
I would welcome an Open Space discussion on this and I think it would be of interest to a lot of people too.
Caryl
I think you should call an Open Space Session on this topic. Because it will meet your needs and other needs. One of the purposes of Open Space at TLCC is to find those topics that the planners did not imagine were needed an make sure that they are met. Bravo. Go for it!!!
Great idea Shelly. I was hoping to get a panel discussion on this but i think an open space is much better.
I did an open space on this in Australia at ANZTRUC this year and got a great turn out. We talked about ...
It's such an important conversation to have. Because it not only generates answers but it generates support & solidarity.
You are the greatest Heath!
Hi Folks,As we run up to TLCC I'm planning my schedule. I'm going to list an Open Space chatting re: Understanding and coping with mental health issues (our own and colleagues). Hope you can make it. Also happy to have a breakfast catch up with anyone whose interested.
Cheers,