The Art of Letting Go: A Radical Kind of Art

The Final Piece

Hi Actor,

So once once we've filled our weeks with practicing, challenging ourselves, training, networking, working, reviewing, writing, rewiring, studying, inspiring ourselves, helping, listening, posting, brainstorming, teaching, hustling, creating, "doing"... what do we do next? Whats the next thing? We seem to be doing absolutely everything required of us - and yet... there's something else.

We refuse to let resistance win; we welcome in new challenges; we start preparation as soon as the work comes in; we hit flow with ease; we work on our acting even on the days we only have 2 minutes; we've cultivated a community; we're overcoming our fears and coming out on top; we're practicing effectively; and living in a city we want to work in; we have excellent teachers in our corner guiding us; and when we want to learn something new, we do. Not to mention we are curious at every turn!

... What is it? What's the one other thing? What do we do NEXT?!

There is one final element required for any great success in this industry and that is just letting the magical, mystical nature of the art form & industry, do its thing. We let go.

We may never know what booked a role or what didn't. We may never understand the intricacies surrounding what makes something successful or not. I don't think thats our business to know.

If we are working at this thing we love every day, doing all the things we can. Thats all there is. We've done "the doing". Now we just accept. We allow creation to happen. We allow the work. We allow our careers to grow however which way they will. We allow the universe's creative energy to do its magical, mystical, vibrant, unpredictable thing. We allow.

There is a core concept in Dialectic Behaviour Therapy called 'Radical Acceptance'. It is the total acceptance of reality as it is - without resistance, judgement, or denial. For us actors this is what we do next. We work and work and work and then let go. We accept the thoughts, feelings, energies, performances, yeses, nos, discoveries, obstacles, wins, losses, games, griefs, blocks, wonderings, excitements as they come.

We could take this concept one step further by letting all this "stuff", all this "doing", go. "The work" becomes "play". "Networking" becomes "connecting". "Creating" becomes "living".

We can now focus on living life as it happens. Not cramming life in - but allowing it. We don't plan, we arrive. It seems like quite a magical way to live. So lets go and do that. Lets let life happen and be there for all of it. Radically accept and let go.

In my next post I have quite the announcement to make, so be sure to keep an eye out for it.

Talk Soon,

Lachy 

Lachlan is an Australian Actor who has been working within the industry for a decade. He’s worked in Film & Theatre.

© Lachlan Stuart 2025