Suggestions for Protecting Your Mind While Doing Comedy

This episode provides general suggestions to comedians, especially neurodivergent ones like us autistic and ADHD actors in comedy and improv, to protect our minds while engaging in comedy and with others in the community. Find the video for this episode (has my face, not just captions): YouTube video (you can leave your input here!)Find the written article for this episode here: NeurodiversityImprov.com article (you can also leave your input here!)Checking in on yourself, in whatever spaces you’re participating in, is pretty good for mental health. These ten suggestions should be relevant beyond comedy communities, and will apply to people who aren't neurodivergent too. So even if you aren't autistic, for example, these should be relevant and hopefully somewhat useful.Some important notes about these suggestions for protecting your mind in comedy spaces:Some of these suggestions might contradict themselves. Or they might leave out some important points. This is confusing stuff, highly personal/unique, and in this case of course limited to one person’s experience and brain wiring! I heartily welcome you to add your own observations in the comments (anonymously from a throwaway account is fine, too!)Some of these suggestions might sound like I’m suggesting to “run away” from issues — but I am NOT advocating this and NOT suggesting we avoid addressing problems in comedy. Quite the opposite. These suggestions involve sticking within your community, but empowering yourself whilst doing so by forming new projects, outlets, or similar (as an option, or while addressing problematic stuff if it’s applicable). And as always: any suggestions are not universal!All ten sections below are SUGGESTIONS (from an autistic brain) even though many are not worded as such. These are worded like demands, because it’s what I ask of myself, what I use to check in. But they aren’t demands for YOU. Take a suggestion if you think it's helpful and applies to you. Ignore it if it doesn't apply to you.And as always, don’t replace this article or site for working with a professional. Also don’t use these resources for diagnosis of yourself or others. I’m not a mental health professional.You deserve compassion and respect no matter where you are with either your mental health or whether you are autistic, ADHD, or another neurotype!Ten Suggestions (as chapters!)Chapters:00:00 Intro01:00 About the podcast and episode02:22 Episode and topic overview - why I/we need these suggestions07:16 Suggestion One: Be Yourself and don't compromise on it.10:43 Suggestion Two: Take care of yourself first, for others13:53 Suggestion Three: Find your source of joy, but be open to pivoting16:17 Suggestion Four: Find the humans who value YOU19:33 Suggestion Five: Ignore the gatekeepers, and find your confidence22:31 Suggestion Six: Protect your value23:34 Suggestion Seven: Communicate openly and in good faith28:36 Suggestion Eight: Ask for or seek accommodations31:02 Suggestion Nine: Analyze where value comes from, especially if depressed33:33 Suggestion Ten: Value your mental health35:50 Conclusion and links42:42 Link to podcast (NeurodivergentComedy.com)Comedy is wildly strange, and a beast of its own (despite giving retro-silicon-valley vibes). At least the tiny corner I've witnessed and participated in. Let’s keep our neurodivergent minds safer here.Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notesGet a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You"Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloadsReview the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options.Apple Podcasts | PodchaserIt helps out! Thanks!Support the showLike this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://learn.improvupdate.com/products/supportWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! 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Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here.This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com.This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode:Wired DivergentFind the new show wherever you get podcasts, like this one, or at https://jendehaan.com/wired-divergentThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacyPodcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp