The Art Of Showing Up When You Want To Hide

Your heart is hammering against your ribs like a trapped bird. You want to run out the back door and never look back.

There is a specific kind of heaviness that comes with performing in the North. In a big city, you have the luxury of anonymity; you can be a mysterious artist on a stage because nobody knows who you were in third grade. Here, in our smaller communities or rural hubs, the audience often knows your family, your job, and your history. That familiarity can feel like a cage. It makes the act of standing up and saying "I made this" feel incredibly vulnerable. You aren't just an artist; you're a neighbor, and that shifts the weight of expectation.

But let's take a breath. Deep in, hold, and let it go.

The anxiety you feel isn't a sign that you aren't cut out for this. It is just energy. In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we talk about expanding around the discomfort rather than fighting it. When you try to crush your nerves, they fight back harder. Instead, acknowledge them. Say to yourself, "I am feeling nervous because I care about this." That simple shift reclaims your power. You are not malfunctioning. You are caring.

When you step onto that stage or into that gallery space, try to drop your anchor. This is a quick grounding technique. Push your heels into the floor. Feel the solidity of the ground beneath you. Notice the physical reality of the microphone stand or your instrument. You are not a floating head full of panic; you are a body in a room. Performing is physical. Let the ground hold you up so you don't have to hold yourself up.

There is also a massive cognitive distortion at play called the "Spotlight Effect." We tend to believe people are scrutinizing our every micro-movement. They aren't. Most people in the audience are worrying about their own lives—their bills, their cold coffee, or if they left the stove on. They want you to succeed because your success makes them feel safe and entertained. They are on your team.

Remember why you started creating art in this isolation in the first place. It wasn't to be perfect. It was to connect. When you focus on *giving* to the audience rather than *taking* their approval, the fear shrinks. You aren't there to dazzle them with perfection; you are there to offer a moment of honesty. If your voice cracks or your hand shakes, that is just part of the texture. It’s real. And in 2026, with so much noise and synthetic perfection everywhere else, people are starving for something real.

So, take the mic. Look at their foreheads if looking in their eyes is too much. Just breathe and begin. The world needs your voice exactly as it is, shakes and all.

Northwestern Ontario Arts, Culture and Recreation

Rooted in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario we're exploring arts, culture, and recreation programming that brings our communitiess together. From creative workshops and local exhibitions to youth activities and cultural events, we support rural artists, strengthen community connection, and celebrate the creative spirit of Northwestern Ontario.

Through community-based arts initiatives, recreation programming, and cultural gatherings, Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture fosters creative expression, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in the northern arts sector. Our work connects residents, empowers youth, and builds pride in local talent across rural Northwestern Ontario.

Learn more about our programs, events, and opportunities at Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture.