Finding Your Way Forward When Life Feels Heavy
Some days, the weight of the world makes it hard to get out of bed, let alone run a voice over business. Whether it’s stress, uncertainty, or exhaustion, we all hit moments when everything feels overwhelming. But you don’t have to stay stuck. With the right mindset and small, intentional actions, you can reset, refocus, and regain control. Here’s how to move forward, even on the hardest days.
Because we all have those days. The alarm goes off, but instead of feeling ready to tackle the day, you just want to pull the covers over your head. Maybe it’s stress from the news, social media, family, or the sheer exhaustion of juggling everything at once. Running a business—especially a creative one—can feel impossible when life gets overwhelming.
First, know that you’re not alone. Every entrepreneur, every voice actor, every human experiences these moments. The key isn’t to ignore them or force yourself to “power through”—it’s to acknowledge, reset, and take small steps forward. Here’s how.
Stand in the Place That You Are
Before you try to push past your emotions, take a moment to acknowledge them. Where are you mentally and emotionally right now? Denying how you feel won’t make it go away—it just delays the process.
I like to think of emotions as a chair in an empty room. You can analyze it, ignore it, or pretend it’s not there, but ultimately, the best thing you can do is sit in it. Accept where you are, even if it’s uncomfortable. Once you do, you can start to move forward.
A wise friend once told me, “The truth will set you free—right after it pisses you off.”
You Got to Move It, Move It
It’s easy to get trapped in overthinking when you’re feeling stuck. But the mind and body are connected, and sometimes the best way to shift your mindset is to physically move.
Go for a walk. Do a quick workout. Dance around the kitchen. Anything that gets your body moving helps release built-up stress and boosts endorphins, dopamine, and adrenaline—the brain’s natural mood lifters.
As entrepreneurs, we spend hours in front of a screen, often without realizing how much time has passed. Moving your body resets your energy. I always feel better after a spin on my bike. (Fun fact: I met my husband 20 years ago in a spin class—he was my instructor!)
Kondo It Up: Find Your Joy
What makes you happy? A hobby? Your pet? Calling a friend? When everything feels heavy, doing something small that brings joy can create a spark of energy.
Sit outside and watch the wind move through the trees. Play an instrument. Cuddle with your kitties. Whatever lifts your spirits, even slightly, is worth doing. Happiness isn’t always something we wait for—it’s something we create.
Purge the System
Now that you’ve moved your body and sparked a little joy, it’s time to clear the mental clutter. Grab a journal, a notepad, or your keyboard, and just dump everything in your head onto the page.
Write like an emotional 4-year-old throwing a tantrum. Don’t censor yourself. Set a timer for 20 minutes and let it all out—fears, frustrations, anger, exhaustion. Get it out of your system so it doesn’t spill out in ways you’ll regret later (looking at you, social media rants). And once you’re done? Delete it. This isn’t about documenting your struggles—it’s about releasing them.
This Too Shall Pass
You’ve acknowledged your feelings, moved your body, found a spark of joy, and cleared out the mental junk. Now, take a deep breath and remind yourself: This is temporary.
Everything you’re feeling right now—stress, worry, exhaustion—it will pass. Every situation, no matter how big, will shift. And in the grand scheme of things, even you are temporary. That perspective can be oddly freeing.
As voice actors, we deal with rejection all the time. One audition doesn’t define our careers. One tough day doesn’t define our lives. Just like in voice over, all we can do is give our best performance and move on.
Momentum Creates Motivation and Makes it Easier Moving Forward...
The final step isn’t really a step—it’s action. Not motivation first, action first. We often think we need motivation to start, but in reality, motivation comes from momentum. When you start doing, even if it’s small, that effort fuels inspiration. Running your business keeps you grounded. It reminds you that you are in control. Once you take the first step—sending an email, warming up your voice, organizing your workspace—it’s easier to keep going.
Being a voice actor means navigating ups and downs. There will be easy days and hard days. But you have the power, the tools, and the resilience to keep moving forward. And if you need a listening ear? I’m here. Now—go get ‘em!
Thanks for reading - Anne
Work with Anne
Anne Ganguzza is a Voice Actor, Coach, Influencer, and award-winning Podcaster & Demo Producer. based in Southern California.
