The Waiting Game: Keeping Your Sanity as a Model or Actor in Slow Seasons
When Work Slows Down, So Does Everything Else—Or Does It?
If you’ve ever worked in modelling, acting, or any creative industry with unpredictable bookings, you know the score. One week, you're in back-to-back castings, running between jobs, cameras flashing, energy high. The next? Nothing. No calls, no emails, no confirmation on that “pencilled” job. And suddenly, the doubts creep in:
"Was that last job just luck? Should I be doing more? Why do I feel so exhausted when technically, I have more time?"
Welcome to the performer’s productivity paradox. The quieter periods—the time between bookings, the gaps between projects—are often the moments when your mental health needs the most attention.
Because here’s the thing: when your schedule revolves around castings and gigs, and that slows down, it’s easy to let everything else slide too—movement, socialising, eating well. Before you know it, you're feeling sluggish, disconnected, and stuck in your own head.
But what if I told you that looking after your mental well-being isn’t just about feeling better—it’s a game-changer for your career? Because when your mind is sharp, you carry yourself differently. Your confidence stays intact. You’re ready when the next opportunity comes. And in industries where energy, presence, and resilience matter? That could make all the difference.
The Performer’s Effect: What the Research Says
In the UK, self-employment is on the rise, and while being a model or actor offers creative freedom, it also comes with unpredictable schedules, financial uncertainty, and long stretches of waiting for the next opportunity. This inconsistency can take a serious toll on mental well-being. According to the Mental Health Foundation:
78% of freelancers experience periods of low mood or anxiety, often triggered by unpredictable income and a lack of daily structure.
Loneliness is a major risk for self-employed creatives, with models and actors frequently working in isolation between jobs, leading to dips in confidence and motivation.
Those who work from home or spend long periods ‘on standby’ are twice as likely to struggle with separating work from rest, increasing the risk of creative burnout and self-doubt.
And here’s the thing—this isn’t just about mental health in isolation. When you’re mentally drained, it shows up in your auditions, your castings, and even in how you carry yourself in the industry. If you’re feeling stuck, unfocused, or doubting your ability, it can subtly impact your energy, presence, and even the way clients and casting directors perceive you.
So how do you stay sharp and maintain confidence even in the quiet seasons?
1. Low Energy Can Affect Your Presence at Castings
Walking into an audition or a casting room is about more than just looking the part—it’s about bringing the right energy. If you’ve spent weeks feeling sluggish, overthinking, or stuck in a loop of self-doubt, it can show up in subtle ways: your posture, your eye contact, or even how you handle feedback in the room.
A study from the London School of Economics suggests that self-employed creatives who maintain regular movement and structure in their routine report higher confidence and performance in professional settings.
What might help?
Even if you’re between jobs, keeping active could help maintain your energy and confidence.
A simple daily routine—whether it’s morning movement, voice exercises, or even just getting dressed like you have somewhere to be—can help shift your mindset.
2. Financial Stress Can Impact Your Performance
When work slows down, financial pressure can quickly turn into mental stress. A recent UK study found that over 60% of freelancers worry about money at least once a day, and this financial anxiety can make it harder to focus, prepare, and perform at your best when opportunities arise.
What might help?
Planning ahead financially during busy seasons could reduce stress in the quieter months.
Finding small income streams within the industry—whether it’s other creative ventures, coaching, or content creation—might help relieve some of the pressure.
Remembering that gaps in work are normal in this industry and don’t reflect your talent or potential.
3. Isolation Can Lead to Self-Doubt
Unlike traditional jobs, where you’re surrounded by colleagues, working as a model or actor can be surprisingly isolating. Between jobs, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others on social media, overanalyzing past castings, or feeling disconnected from the industry.
A UK study on creative professionals found that those who actively engage in networking, industry events, or even casual meet-ups with peers report feeling more motivated and connected, even during slower periods.
What might help?
Meeting up with industry friends, even if it’s just for a coffee, could help break the cycle of overthinking.
Attending workshops, open castings, or networking events might not just open doors—it could boost your confidence too.
Limiting passive scrolling on social media could stop unhelpful comparison cycles before they start.
4. Lack of Routine Can Lead to Creative Burnout
With no set work hours, it’s easy to slip into “waiting mode”—where you feel stuck between castings, unsure of how to use your time productively. While flexibility is a perk of the job, research from the UK’s Behavioural Insights Team found that self-employed creatives who set small daily goals reported feeling more in control of their careers and experienced lower stress levels.
What might help?
Setting small daily goals—whether it’s practicing monologues, refining your portfolio, or recording self-tapes—could create momentum.
Structuring your week as if you already have bookings could help maintain a strong work mindset.
A clear “end” to your workday (like a walk, a hobby, or a wind-down routine) could help prevent the feeling of always being on standby.
Final Thoughts: Stay Ready, Stay Sharp
In modelling and acting, quiet seasons are inevitable—but how you handle them could shape what happens next. Instead of waiting for the next opportunity to snap you back into action, what if you used this time to refine your craft, take care of your mental health, and build habits that support your career long-term?
Because the next booking, the next audition, and the next big opportunity? They often come faster when you’re already in motion.