“You’re a voice actor? That’s my dream job!”
Of course it is. We work from home, we play pretend for a living, and we get paid for using our voices.
But what people don’t see are all the ups and downs behind the mic. The days (or weeks, or months) when we don’t book. The mean comment someone left about our voice in a review. The uncertainty of running a small business and working for yourself. The sick days. The days where life is life-ing and you wonder why you’re doing this at all, or if you’re making a difference.
If you’ve ever been there, you’re not alone.
Mental health matters in voice-over, so let’s talk about it…unfiltered.
The Reality of Being a Creative
It feels like a really weird time right now to be an artist, a creative person, or… just a human.
There are technological upheavals, the constant looming threat of AI, tech bros declaring every day that Hollywood is dead (insert eyeroll here), layoffs, constant comparison on social media, and an industry that can change overnight. Some days it feels like everything is happening all at once, and we’re just doing our best to get through the day.
As voice actors, we are in an interesting place:
– Our instruments are our bodies
– Our identities are tied to how we sound
– Our income depends on being chosen
Rejection in this sense isn’t theoretical; it’s personal. And sometimes bad moments or lows can spiral into a bad day, week, month, or year.
Anxiety, Self-Doubt, and “I Should”s
“I should be booking more.”
“I should be farther along in my career.”
“I should sound like _____.”
But if we’re constantly should-ing on ourselves, we’re never actually seeing – or celebrating – where we’re at. We don’t feel good enough in the moment.
Comparison is everywhere in this industry. We might see someone who got started after us but is “more successful.” Maybe we see someone with five times as many followers on social media as us. Or we see someone constantly posting “Booked it!” on our feeds.
But we’re comparing our B-roll to someone’s highlight reel. Our timeline doesn’t make it any less or better than theirs, just different.
I’d like to share something with you that one of my favorite directors told me when I was stuck in a comparison trap: “Your career will happen in your own way, in your own time.”
You’re still human, even if you’re a superhero
Yeah, I’m a voice actor and wearer of many hats (or capes). But I’m also a daughter. A friend. An entrepreneur. An elder millennial navigating yet another “unprecedented event” in a lifetime.
When you tie your entire identity to your career, burnout hits differently. When work feels uncertain, it can make you feel uncertain.
But superheroes aren’t strong because they never struggle (read a comic book, they definitely do.) They’re strong because they keep showing up, even when it’s hard. Even when they’re tired. Even when they’re scared. And especially when they need help.
It’s okay to be human, and it’s okay to struggle. It’s also OK to rest and start again tomorrow.
Taking care of your mind = taking care of your career
Mental health is not separate from voice-over. It’s an integral part of it. Your emotional state affects your performance, your creativity, your resilience, and your longevity in the industry. Taking care of your mind – and yourself – is investing in your career, not stepping away from it.
You matter.
Your voice is your expression, your story, and your (super)humanity. It’s not just a sound. And that humanity deserves compassion. So if you’re struggling right now, you’re not broken or wrong.
You’re human.
And the world doesn’t need more perfect voices or perfectly curated feeds on social media.
It needs the human ones.
P.S. If you haven’t yet taken our introductory voice-over class, where we go over everything one needs to know about getting started in the voice-over industry, sign up here!
P.P.S If you want to learn more from VO experts and grow the knowledge you already have, join our VO Pro group!
