Holiday Survival Tips Every Actor Needs
Captured by: Eve Gagne
Hey friend—welcome back to The Glow Up Year.
I’m Meg: actress, model, and your behind-the-scenes bestie for chasing big dreams, navigating plot twists, and building an acting career that doesn’t require you to burn yourself down to keep everyone else comfortable.
Around here, we talk about the real stuff. Yes, auditions and self-tapes—but also the quiet mindset shifts, the awkward conversations, the nervous-system spirals, and the moments that don’t make it to Instagram. The choices you make when nobody’s watching. The ones that either drain your energy… or slowly, steadily build momentum.
Which brings us to the holidays.
Because if you’re an actor heading home for a family gathering, you already know: this season comes with cozy vibes, good food, and at least one question that makes your stomach drop.
“So… how’s the acting going?”
And suddenly you’re twelve again, holding a plate of mashed potatoes, wondering how a simple question turned into a full-body stress response.
Because nothing activates the nervous system quite like a table full of relatives who think “commercial callbacks” means you sell shampoo door-to-door.
But here’s the thing:
Most of the stress isn’t from the question itself — it’s from the pressure we put on ourselves to explain an industry most people only understand through Hallmark movies and The Voice.
So today, I’m giving you six genuinely helpful (and slightly hilarious) survival strategies to protect your peace, your joy, and your nervous system this holiday season… all while reminding yourself that your career is valid, growing, and absolutely worth celebrating.
Tip 1: Ground Yourself Before You Walk Inside
Think of this as your emotional pre-game.
Before you even step into the house, take a moment in your car or driveway.
Breathe.
Remind your body you’re safe.
Remember that your timeline is your own and you’re not behind — not in your life, and definitely not in your career.
No matter what Aunt Karen says.
A regulated nervous system is your superpower here. It’s like showing up to the Hunger Games with actual armor instead of vibes.
Tip 2: Prep One Go-To Line (Just One!)
Taken By: Anthony Grassetti
You do not need a five-paragraph essay about your career trajectory.
You just need a single confident sentence.
Try:
“It’s going really well — I’m building momentum.”
“Still chasing the dream and excited about what’s unfolding.”
“I’m on my own timeline, and things are moving.”
Short. Kind. Calm.
Like a tiny verbal boundary wearing a sparkly holiday sweater.
Tip 3: Reframe The Meaning Behind Their Questions
Sometimes we assume criticism… when really people are just confused and curious.
Most family members don’t understand the industry at all.
They’re not being judgmental — they truly have no idea how auditions, slow seasons, or bookings work.
They think actors live inside a constant montage sequence.
So if their question feels loaded, try assuming it’s curiosity, not critique.
It makes a huge difference for your emotional world.
Want more support like this in your inbox? My weekly newsletter is where we talk mindset, boundaries, and building a sustainable acting career—no hustle required.
Tip 4: You Don’t Owe Anyone a Career TED Talk
Taken By: Eve Gagne
Repeat after me:
My acting career is not a group project.
You don’t have to explain your reps, your self-tapes, your slow months, your training, or why you didn’t get the role in “that one commercial with the dog.”
Your career is yours — personal, private, and unfolding exactly as it should.
Tip 5: Redirect the Conversation
If a conversation starts sinking into the emotional quicksand of too-many-questions, redirect with kindness.
Example redirect:
“I’m really happy with how things are unfolding this year.
What about you? What’s new in your world?”
Translation:
I’m done talking, but we’re still being polite.
This works especially well on relatives who LOVE to talk about themselves — which, let’s be honest… is most of them.
And if redirecting doesn’t work?
You may absolutely excuse yourself for:
✨ Drink refills
✨ Checking the oven
✨ Saying hi to the dog
✨ A bathroom break
✨ Suddenly remembering you left something in your car (real or imaginary)
This isn’t rude. This is boundary-based nervous system management.
Tip 6: Celebrate Your Non-Booking Wins
Most actors forget that growth counts as progress.
This year you may have:
Built confidence
Improved your craft
Gotten clearer on your niche
Gained representation
Strengthened your mindset
Taken more auditions than last year
Healed parts of yourself that used to sabotage you
Those wins matter.
They shape your momentum.
And they deserve to be recognized — by you.
Bonus Tip: Find a “Safe Person” and Design a Secret Signal
My Safe Person AKA My Bestie
This one is my personal favorite.
Choose someone you trust at the gathering.
Create a covert rescue signal.
It can be subtle — a glance, a hand gesture, or a dramatic fork drop.
The important thing is that this person can swoop in and save you mid-conversation like the social guardian angel they are.
If you're craving deeper support — with confidence, nervous system regulation, mindset, or creating actual momentum in your acting career — Let’s find the offerings that can support you best.
You’re Not Behind — You’re Just Human
Navigating the holidays as an actor is a whole skill set, babe. But you’re doing beautifully.
Remember:
Your worth is not measured by bookings, applause, or how easy it is to explain your job at the dinner table.
Your career is still unfolding.
Your glow-up is still happening.
And the people who need to understand your journey will — in time.
The rest?
They’ll get over it.
And if you try one of these survival tips, come tell me how it went. I want to hear the tea.
Want to listen to my Holiday Survival Tips Tune into the podcast episode below.
Until next time, keep dreaming bigger, keep putting yourself out there, and remember—your next role might be closer than you think.
You deserve a career that feels sustainable, powerful, and yours.
And I’m cheering for you every step of the way.
