Get Back Up Again!
Written By: Chloë Julianne Moore (@chloejuliannemoore)
At 17 years old I was faced with the decision to choose my college major, and although everything in me wanted to be an actress, I chose to become a teacher like my parents. Maybe my desire for the arts would fade as I faced the practicalities of adulthood. At 20 years old, I was living alone in Arizona, I was hired to be a 4th grade teacher. Finally, I had a job that could pay the bills and I could get an apartment of my own, but my soul was not at peace. I was in over my head, I was lonely, I kept losing my voice, and was overwhelmed. I found a church community, which helped my mental health because faith is important to me, but my heart was still conflicted with my work. After a year of teaching, a surgeon diagnosed the cause of my chronic voice loss, vocal nodes. I was told I needed to change careers and I would likely never sing again.
Becoming an actress after receiving a BS in Education and a MS in Leadership was not the most conventional choice. But, every person in my life who had taken the time to know my heart over the years, was not surprised in the slightest with this vocational shift. I am grateful for the journey that brought me to embrace the desire within my heart to tell stories. After a long recovery, speech therapist sessions, counseling, and tear-filled vocal lessons with my husband, I was able to sing again.
The artist's journey can be lonely at times as well. In the age of self tapes, virtual auditions, social media, and online master classes and portfolios, I found myself practicing by myself 90% of the time. I realized many other artists are quietly making art at home as well, maybe feeling lonely and discouraged as well. I was faced with the idea of sharing my silly practice sessions online, with the thought that maybe it would encourage others to feel less alone. It felt vulnerable and honestly cringy to post at first. I sat in my insecurity, tears, and anxiety, but to my surprise I was almost immediately met with encouragement and stories of how impactful the videos have been. Stories of friends who felt inspired to finally take their microphones out after years of them sitting in the closet. Friends who were having a terrible day and were met with a silly video that turned their frown upside down.
The character of Princess Poppy in Dreamworks animated movie "Trolls" has held a special place in my heart for years, I adore her love for life and infectious positive attitude. After getting off the phone with a dear friend going through a mental health crisis, I sat in my grief with her and decided to process my emotions through creativity. This moment led me to creating this VoiceOver video. I hope you can be encouraged by the words of the song and by the many moments that led to a small victory for mental health in the sea of trials we all face. No matter what your day may hold, please know that you can get back up again, even if you need a helping hand.
