When Life Knocks You Down… Get Back Up!
There are moments in life that can knock the wind right out of you.
Last week was one of those weeks for me.
First, I missed a voiceover session. Not because I forgot. Not because I didn’t care. I got the time wrong. I thought the session was scheduled in Pacific Time when it was actually Eastern Time. By the time I realized my mistake, the session was over.
My stomach dropped.
As a professional voice actor, your reputation matters. I immediately worried that the client would think I was unreliable or unprofessional.
Then there was the painting.
While on vacation, I placed a bid on a beautiful piece of art valued at $53,761. To win, you had to be present when the drawing took place. I was there for most of the event, but my family had booked a special behind-the-scenes tour, and I chose to leave early.
You can probably guess what happened next.
They pulled my name.
I won. And I wasn’t there. The painting went to someone else.
As if that wasn’t enough, I came home expecting good news. I opened the mailbox looking for a check from a client. Instead, I found a bill for $9,908. Not exactly the welcome-home gift I had in mind.
By that point, I felt defeated.
I sat down and cried.
Not because any one of those things was catastrophic. But because sometimes life stacks disappointment on top of disappointment until it feels heavy.
Maybe you’ve been there.
- A missed opportunity.
- An unexpected expense.
- A mistake you wish you could take back.
- A week where nothing seems to go your way.
Here’s what I did next.
- I took a deep breath.
- I acknowledged the truth. “This moment sucks.”
Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is stop pretending everything is fine. We don’t have to minimize our disappointment. We don’t have to smile through every setback.
We can simply admit that we’re hurting.
3. Then I phoned a friend.
Not just any friend – a friend I know is capable of speaking life back into me when I can’t quite find it myself. She’s my permanent cheerleader.
- She listened.
- She encouraged.
- She reminded me who I am.
Then I prayed. Because as much as I appreciate good friends, there are some moments when only God can help me find my footing again. My friend would comfort me, God would restore me and I needed both. Then came the most important part.
I got up.
That’s it.
I got up.
- I started auditioning again.
- I made a payment plan.
- I let go of the painting.
- I stepped back into my life.
The truth is, success isn’t always about winning. Sometimes success is simply being willing to start again.
Sometimes courage isn’t climbing a mountain. It’s getting out of bed after a disappointing day. It’s making the phone call. Sending the email. Submitting the audition. Taking the next step when you don’t feel like it.
Life will knock us down from time to time. That’s part of being human. But the people who ultimately succeed are rarely the people who never fall. They’re the people who keep getting back up.
So if you’re having one of those weeks, let this be your reminder:
- Take a breath.
- Call a friend.
- Say a prayer.
- Then get up.
Your next chapter is waiting.
Life isn’t perfect. Neither am I. But every day gives us another chance to get inspired again.
-Yolanda Spearman
The Black Female Voice Actor
