Who is the Winn to your Supergirl? How to NOT get crushed. Building resilience for artists, DJs and producers
Everyone has an inner superhero and superheroes need sidekicks or happy helpers to support them, especially when the going gets tough. But who/what are these happy helpers and how do you define them? We’ve got some practical, mindful tips here!
Happy helpers: what/who is your go-to resource?
If you’re a fan of DC Comics, then you know Kara Zor-El has a lot of things to juggle. Sometimes it gets really hard to carry the weight of the human world on her alien shoulders and keep up with her human side. Kara also has to deal with anxiety, just like the rest of us. Luckily, she has a few amazing happy helpers in her life to support her and help her build and maintain resilience.
On this Ship, happy helpers, sidekicks, go-to resources or whatever you want to call them, are tools you reach out to when you’re feeling down, unmotivated, tired, feeling anxious.
Anxiety drains us from our energy and keeps us from moving forward. Thinking ourselves back to positivity and love often is easier said than done and we need some tools and tricks to help - well, do the trick.
Certain go-to resources - happy helpers, as we like to call them, and positive reference experiences (PREs) are a great way of training your brain to go into that positive, safe and loving place.
Happy helpers can be found in nature, in other people, role models, historic figures, affirmations, stones and minerals, stress balls, you name it.
If you’re not sure which one it is for you, just think about what makes you feel good, calm and relaxed. And what do you need to achieve that? Is it taking your face away from your laptop screen to watch an episode of The Bold & The Beautiful so you can feel brainless for 20 minutes? Is it an intense yoga session to release the tension in your body? Perhaps you just need to hold on to that piece of labradorite your granny gave you and say a little mantra out loud. The list can go on and on. The point is, no matter what it is, or who it is that helps you achieve getting back to a calm and relaxed state of mind, THAT is your happy helper. Put him/her/it to work! (As long as it’s healthy and positive of course)!
Meditation is also a great help!
This FREE guided meditation is quick and easy so that you can do it anytime, anywhere! Whether you're backstage and about to perform, or in the studio. You can even do it in a toilet stall. All it takes is 10 minutes!
Positive reference experiences (PREs) are an underestimated resource/tool to heighten your level of consciousness, meaning becoming consciously aware of what you see, feel, envision and the efficient actions to take. If you use a PRE, you’re instantly taking yourself back into that moment when you felt good about yourself, what you were doing, what you achieved. Even more so, you can use a PRE to envision your future self or something you want to work towards so that you can look towards that future with the same positive, safe and loving sensation as what you experience within your PRE. If you really think about it, it has nothing to do with mumbo-jumbo hippy-dippy shit. If you think back to a positive experience, it’s like you’re actually there again, you feel all the feels you felt back then and it’s like your body is literally back at that moment in time. So why wouldn’t we be able to project that same sensation on to the future hu?
Now, all of this takes some practice but it’s really not a hard thing to do. Everyone can do it. Practising with PREs is only one of the many things that can help you build resilience.
Building resilience for artists: 5 more tips
Building resilience is important for just about any creature in the universe - humans, unicorns and other lifeforms alike, but we’re going to stick to specific tips aimed at artists, DJs and producers because, well, that’s our core business.
Here at The Unicorn Mothership, we believe that a highly competitive environment like the music and entertainment industry need support systems for mental health issues and safe spaces for personal and creative development. We provide holistic (certified) coaching for DJs, producers and music industry professionals. We put your well-being first and help you build more confidence, self-esteem, resilience and strength so you can live a full life.
Having the right resources to do that, is vital, especially in challenging situations. And we like to keep it practical and mindful at the same time. Depending on what type of musician you are, these things can vary, however, these tips may apply to all of you, with some tweaking here and there.
We’ve already covered PREs shortly, and here are 5 more tips to build resilience specifically aimed at artists, but really, can help anyone.
Eat healthy and balance your diet no matter what
It goes without saying. We know. But still, eating and maintaining a healthy diet is key. We take our body everywhere and put it through so much, that we want to take care of it properly in return! Even if you juggle between 'supermodel yoga enthusiast' and 'hungry kind in a candy store'.
Get enough sleep
Again, it goes without saying. and still so many people struggle to get a good night’s sleep. The causes are often related to stress or an irregular lifestyle, but sometimes it can be inspiration that keeps us awake. Why must your muse speak to you in the wee hours of the night?
Or maybe you think you don't need that much sleep? Think again. A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow.
Create YOUR day in every moment
Meaning, take your daily habits with you on the road. Playing late night gigs? Schedule in your breakfast every day, even if you didn't get a full night's sleep. It creates a sense of stability.
Stay in touch with the home base on a regular basis
This is a tricky one because sometimes time zones and bad connections can get in the way. But touching base with family and friends who know you really well can be very grounding and make you feel less lonely. Speaking to someone you trust and knows you well, can be so reassuring and grounding! Feeling out of whack? Call up a buddy, your mom, whoever makes you feel like you again.
Get help
There are many organisations out there you can reach out to, as well as talk to a counsellor, coach, therapist, etc. Don't be scared. We are here for you! Discover how we work and what we have to offer in our service packages.
Want more?
Of course, there’s a lot more magic where that came from here at the Ship. If you’d like to learn more about how to build resilience using PREs and Happy Helpers, and how to identify them, you do 1 or 2 things:
- sign up for our newsletter, in which we share things with you via email that we just don’t share with the rest of the universe.
- book your free call. You’ll get 30 min 1:1 for free with our captain to discuss how she can help you. No strings attached, just figuring out if it’s a match!