Storytime in Central Park | my failed acting career, regretting college, turning it around

[@lizzieblades]

I’m really glad that this video was in my recommended today… I shuffled all the music on my phone and heard a song from a musical that we did in high school (I was in the pit orchestra) and I started crying uncontrollably. I was thinking about how I’ve “never been happy since then” (sounds like such an exaggeration). We had 2 rehearsals that were 9-5 on Saturdays during each musical, and I have never jumped out of bed to pursue 8 hours of work quite like that. This was also the only time I’ve related to the statement “The journey should bring you joy if you’re doing the right work” (because rehearsals were so chill, and every part of the process was so easily enjoyable). I feel so robbed in my adult life that I only have the “small things” to look forward to, like buying a latte or watching a TV show. It feels like such bullshit because I was so happy and passionate to be in the pit orchestra as a teenager. My current life is so boring, and I don’t have any friends because I’m so focused on my remote job. It feels like my own fault for quitting music school in college, but I also developed anxiety that makes me claustrophobic in audience settings (I still can’t go and watch a play, musical, etc. etc.). I feel I had to switch and do something conventional, but the loss of passion is just so tragic to me whenever I am reminded. Thanks for reading 💙💙 apologies-I am deep in the trenches today lol.

[@ukalele.s]

I love this video! Thanks Chelsea!!

[@meriahmakes6870]

I have an AA in general studies because I had 100% ride with a community college. Fast forward a few years later and I started schooling for a BS in Biology because I had FOMO about my live-in boyfriend (now husband) going for his MFA. I don’t use either degree but having them on my resume helped me land a stable full time office job that affords me the freedom and time (nights, weekends, PTO) to do things I actually enjoy. I do wish that I worked in an industry/position that I actually cared about but the realty is I prioritize the stability and schedule this position provides. Also, I have to prioritize having a job with good health benefits because we still don’t have universal healthcare here in the U.S. I often think about how much more happy American people could be if they didn’t have to take jobs for the healthcare “benefits”; it makes me wonder what I and others would pursue if we didn’t have to worry about accepting a job to maintain healthcare coverage. I think the morale of the country would be instantly boosted by universal healthcare. I would probably pursue a career in wildlife preservation and rehabilitation.

[@ChelseaCallahan]

Thank you for sharing this! I hope hope hope we get universal healthcare so you can feel good about pursuing what you love.

[@letter203ify]

I love this comment.

[@hansonel]

As someone who is a former NYer, feeling like a "failure" for moving back home due to not "making it" in New York and is now directionless wondering where to go from here this is incredibly helpful. More so than other videos about things around and even some therapists reccomendations for what to do.

[@letter203ify]

Hey, you are definitely not a failure. You had the courage to strike out on your own in NYC. That speaks a lot for taking the risk and pursuing your dreams, something I never did. Life takes us in unexpected twists, and the point is not about getting to the end, so let us not miss out on each moment that we have and find meaning in the moment.

[@helguuhucu]

Hi Chelsea! I am right now binge-watching your videos and this one especially made me feel interested. I have spent 5-6 years on university, in the IT field, wanting to become a web developer but after 5 months after graduation I still get rejected from every place. And I've gotten to a point where I feel like I am not even sure anymore that I want to do this. But after all these rejections and everything I literally lost my interest in everything. So I don't even know what other things would interest me because right now, I feel empty, numb and with 0 interest in anything... It is tough. I really hope I'll get there as well at one point... Yeah sorry just wanted to rant.

[@James43489]

I really enjoyed watching this Chelsea! Your story sounds really similar to my career journey. I'm the same age as Chelsea. When I was in high school all I was interested in was computers and IT. All I could see at the time was job in that industry. I went to university, studied Computer science but I dropped out halfway - the realisation that my expectations and the actual reality of it were very different. Many years later, I ended up in a career so very distant from computer science, Baker/Pastry. The journey to my career was difficult on me (mental health) and my parents. Looking back on my 20s, I don't see dropping out as a failure - it was a success to have a moment of self awareness - one door closes and another always opens. Nice Video Chelsea!!😊It reminded me of back then - James.

[@gerberjoanne266]

The thing is that you have to love being an actor, not just the idea of being an actor. It was the same with me, with academia. I didn't finish my Ph.D. because the drive and interest were gone. I was just going through the motions. So, once I started working, the dissertation ended up permanently on the back burner. A good part of my life was wasted. Don't throw bad time after good.

[@letter203ify]

Sorry about not finishing your PhD. Life is hard and seldom goes the way we expected. So many of us struggle to make ends meet and find challenge in just making the economics work in our lives yet we still need to find purpose and meaning for ourselves somehow. Tfs.

[@colepotwardowski4313]

Thank you for this video. You were practically speaking what I was going through these last 3 years. I’m a 30 something acting major who moved to NYC in 2020 and similar life and vocational changes happened. There was no acting. There were no auditions. There was conflict of ambition. I felt tremendous emotional and psychological weight inside. Everybody said “you’re gonna do great things!” Instead I kept supporting myself as a chef and transitioned from theater arts into martial arts. I still keep artistic interests like piano and drawing but, like you convey so beautifully in your videos, there emerges a simplicity of lifestyle not boasted by media or society. Now I am in Seattle but miss NYC! I find I seek silence in active places and seek activity in silent places. Please keep vlogging!

[@7931lila]

Great video. You are a very wise soul. …a wise, fun soul. I need to rewatch this video and take notes. I identify with all that you said. I want to make a list of 10 areas that I want to grow in and move forward in those areas a little bit every week. Thank you for sparking motivation in me!!

[@wintangwarastri5618]

Dear Chelsea, thank you for the honest sharing, felt like a soothing cup of tea to my own anxious heart and mind. I'm currently exactly where you were in this: coming up on 29 and feeling regretful towards my major and early career choices. I also just resigned from a job that I thought I love because of circumstances, and I don't think I've ever felt this disillusioned as before. I think I miss my late teen-early 20s self, where I was naive(?) enough to be super ambitious and self-assured about how all of my "career plan" will work out. What you said in the end about incorporating smaller changes and paying attention to the day-to-day life makes a lot of sense, I myself have been building a habit of going to the gym 2-3 times a week and cooking all of my meals. I found that these rituals are quite helpful in processing my thoughts and feelings into more manageable pieces. Now, if I can figure out how to approach my next career step that way then we're golden. :") THANK YOU, I wish you a lovely end of 2023 and a great start of 2024. Onto more vlogmas! (and daily vlog?😛) Love from Jakarta, Indonesia.

[@ashleymyers3100]

Wow this video is so motivational. It's my 2nd time watching. I think i commented already, but I can't remember. I'm really struggling mentally for not using my degree anymore. Where I live there isn't a lot of options for my degree. How I was let go at my last job killed my self esteem. All the jobs in Textiles are in NYC but I don't think I could handle the high cost of living on top of all my $$$ hobbies & $$ Dr bills so for now I'll have to be content for living in the Midwest. I really enjoy the wisdom you have learned through all your life experiences. I'm going to save this video & watch it whenever I need a pep talk. We do change as ppl, making time for 1 new thing a day is great advice! Love your videos! Your hair looked great!

[@blakechung2039]

Ooof. Can reLATE to this. Perfectionism ruins many a dream, I’m realizing. Honestly tho, how exciting that we can change our minds about how we live our lives everyday? High key love that ♥️

[@ChelseaCallahan]

Absolutely, well said! ❤️

[@gabbygabbygabbyoioioi]

Ah, this was helpful in figuring out why you stopped pursuing acting! It was an interest change. That makes sense and it takes bravery to admit when something you’ve put time into isn’t for you anymore truly. Some people just end up continuing and resenting the process and everything. I was afraid you’d stopped only because you’d turned 30 or something and was like ‘but! I know women have to deal with ageism in the acting field especially after 35 and def by 40 but there are plenty of actresses that are doing well (not in the .01% of SAG actors making millions well, just the making an okay living well I mean) that were still green at 30’ but I’m glad that it was just you being honest about what you wanted and not letting a degree force you down a path you no longer wanted.

[@letter203ify]

Whoa, friend! You revealed amazing courage in this video. You are making it in NYC so you can make it anywhere. Your path in life is admirable and difficult and I have deep respect for you. There's so much more I wish to say, but for now, you lived your life out of your comfort zone and that shows remarkable bravery.

[@ChelseaCallahan]

this means a lot, thanks so much for your kindness here :)

[@letter203ify]

@@ChelseaCallahanare you kidding? You are the one who put yourself out there randomly, and i was moved by your stories- especially going to Prague and all. I have a russian friend who will be in NYC within a few months and i showed her your channel and she said she will reach out to you then.

[@SonamPansari]

My interest keep on changing and I used to think I can not commit to one thing! I am happy to realize that I grow with my interests. Somethings are for me others are not. It is easier said than done but slowly and surely getting better! It's a pleasure to hear your story Chelsea!😊

[@ChelseaCallahan]

YES well said! It is totally easier said than done... I guess if we all had it figured out from the beginning life would be pretty boring 🙂thanks for sharing!

[@cherylconibear8620]

Maybe the Universe creates a certain number of us who: 1) feel endless pressure to finally figure out exactly what we want, then do that thing exceptionally (I actually think lots of this pressure is coming from people we want to please) 2)are doomed to deal with chronic conditions that pop up just when things are good, and they burden us with extra worry, pain, embarrassment, bitterness (followed by guilt for feeling bitter) C) internal drive to finish our school (or whatever), followed by a strange sadness and total lack of self assurance after we realize we chose wrong. Not everybody is going through all this. You are, I am, some are. There must be a point! I am loving your videos!

[@ChelseaCallahan]

Such a thoughtful comment, thanks for sharing! I have a video coming out friday that addresses people pleasing, so I see that as a sign ✨

[@Golden_Flute]

Really really good video and some excellent points. I also felt really regretful about my time spent at college. I felt like I wasted it. Your video made me think of two things I've realized for myself recently: 1) Even if you aren't directly doing what you went to school for, the skills that you built then and even later can crop up in other ways--some of which you might not even know or realize right now, and 2) If I could tell my 18-year-old self anything, it would be to not worry about not having time--life doesn't end at 30, and neither does your interest or desire in learning new things. Many boundaries are often the ones you create in your own mind. (Even though those boundaries are still something I'm personally working on deconstructing). (And, of course, as poetic as that is, I would like to note that it is a very privileged perspective and not true in every aspect. Some boundaries truly are set on people based on things that are outside of their control, be it race, orientation, physical and mental disabilities, etc.) Thanks for the video!

[@ChelseaCallahan]

Excellent points 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 thanks for commenting finally haha 😘

[@MaddieCassidy]

this makes me feel so much better about my thought process lately - have been feeling in a rut and that i might need a career path change. love the transparency you always bring to your videos, chelsea ✨

[@ChelseaCallahan]

thank you, maddie 🙏🏻 that's not an easy place to be in at all. wherever you decide to take your career, I KNOW you'll absolutely kill it 🤍

[@christieguydish7612]

Love it Chelsea! You've come so far and learned so many healthy coping skills. I too have struggled with low thyroid and with depression. Being flexible and willing to learn new passions and new skills is vital. It keeps life fresh. And the process of learning is part of the joy. So is meeting new companions to share the journeys with. I'm glad you're letting go of the perfectionism. Sometimes perfectionism creates limits around what we are willing to experience and that's just sad. Anyhow love listening to your insights.

[@tossed_about]

❤ You are such a talented dude ! Breaks my heart when you talk like this.

[@Misseggy24]

Oh god, this really resonates with me. I am in my final year of a 4 year theatre degree (as a stage manager and technician), and only now am I realising that this isn’t what I want to spend my life doing. I’m terrified to try and backflip on this career I’ve started building for myself though, because I’m so worried about feeling like my whole university education has been a waste. Like this is the only thing I have the potential to be good at, and now I can’t do anything else even if I want to.

[@ChelseaCallahan]

I FEEL this and I’m sorry you’re going through it. If it helps to know, stage managing is a great segue to a lot of new career opportunities. Day by day you’ll piece together your next steps. For now, try to enjoy the moment ❤️ sending hugs

[@brianna6906]

This related to me so much, thanks for your videos, I watch everytime you upload!

[@ChelseaCallahan]

Thanks for being here!!

[@sseulreal]

this vid is 2yrs old but i'm so glad i came across it today. wish someone in my life would understand and i can hear whatever you said from them. i graduated with a chem degree but tbh midway through the degree, i realise i was losing interest in it. i didn't have the guts to switch major cause i've heard most of the cases get rejected unless you have a really good reason. also, it's gonna sound kinda sad, but i was so busy trying to catch up & not fail classes that i didn't even have the time/energy to explore what other major i would be interested in... now i have a chem degree but didn't manage to stay long in my research job cause i literally have no interest in it but it was what i should do with my degree. switched to a 8-6 office job but couldn't stay long too. honestly i'm kinda directionless now and i'm not getting any younger :/

[@mycookiemonster4]

wow I seriously cannot get over how similar we are and how much this conversation resonated yet again. Thank you for being yourself and sharing parts of you with us :)

[@ChelseaCallahan]

😭 I feel like we need to grab a coffee at some point this spring/summer 🌸

[@mycookiemonster4]

@@ChelseaCallahan yes absolutely, I’d love that!

[@DGsa1661]

I miss the crisp, blue sky in NYC winters

[@kevinoliverlynch6408]

Nicely said Chels! x

[@ChelseaCallahan]

😭you just made my day. miss you!!

[@daphnegabriel4482]

Enjoying your channel! Moving to nyc in august and going through similar feels so thank you for being a light in this world.

[@ChelseaCallahan]

I’m so glad you found me in this small corner of the internet! You are so kind. best of luck to you in your move, reach out if you have any questions xx

[@NoNameNumberTwo]

All the best to you on this journey called life. 🛣🙂

[@WavesOfSoundarya]

Woww Amazing story.. so motivating and relatable 👍

[@ChelseaCallahan]

thanks for watching, lovely 💖

[@dianasha4084]

thank you so mush for your videos!

[@padmeasmr]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have this dilemma: keep pursuing acting or not? I loved acting school and auditioning etc. I felt so happy but I struggle with being judged and look at myself on the camera. I had to look for a part time job to pay the rent etc. and in the rest of the time I'm finishing my master thesis in philosophy but I don't really want to teach all my life (and even so it would still take years). When I'm done with it I would like to continue writing my novel and work on my YT channel. I really like the style of life of actors or KZbinrs, writers... That's my goal. But it's definitely more difficult to become an actor that I thought, you need connections. I did a mistake leaving my ex agent who was really known and I keep thinking I fucked up my only chance 😅 I also don't live in a big city and getting to auditions is so hard.

[@cassio77]

I absolutely love your videos. So true and honest.

[@ChelseaCallahan]

You are so kind!

[@KatiefromCanada]

It's so true how much your interest change in your 20s. My career ideas have done a 180 since I was 22!!

[@ChelseaCallahan]

Yes! Such a rollercoaster lol and here you are killin it on youtube among many other things!! 🏆

[@JenesaKline]

Love ur hair here ❤

[@lexikatarina]

this felt like talking to a friend. thank u angel 🥺🤍

[@ChelseaCallahan]

hi friend! 🥰thanks for watching!

[@bigben1986]

I'm from NYC and I'm almost 50. love fashion and art but every time I tried a new clothing line or some sort of project, I would pick people who did not have the same drive as me. now finally I'm releasing a skateboarding brand (which I designed all by myself) and it's shaping up big time release date should be around July. as far as acting, you can still do it...............trust me you can. you've been away from it for a while so go back to it and practice like never before.

[@ChelseaCallahan]

congrats on your brand!!

[@bigben1986]

@@ChelseaCallahan Thank you tons!!

[@blakechung2039]

Also eyebrows on point!

[@ChelseaCallahan]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@iamdaviddor]

Don't be afraid to try new things. Even those things might make you uncomfortable. Success sometimes comes from trying things you don't think you would like and/or are not good at.

[@ChelseaCallahan]

Excellent advice ✨

[@Papadontcreech]

I relate to many of those struggles in my 20s. Even though I was finding success with acting, the grind became a lot. And the returns diminished. And especially as I sank into depression, I felt shame around quitting because I'd invested so much into it. That sunk-cost fallacy hit me hard. Definitely in a better place that works for me and brings me joy and allows me to be creative and live my life the best way that serves me. Thanks for sharing your story. ❤

[@ChelseaCallahan]

I’d like to believe that acting is a life-long deal. Maybe it’s not for the present, but WOW has it really come to fruition for you in your TikTok etc! honestly it’s a pleasure to watch you evolve as a creator... you’re really out there making shit happen. Thank YOU for sharing your story 🙂

[@DonRobertson-zk1zm]

6 months in NYC . I'm laying a tiny bed a micro small room feeling stuck. I was also in the arts lots of success but ultimately it wasn't paying $$for me to live. Im okay I'm calm but I feel stuck. I don't know how I'm getting stuck but I'm not quitting. NYC has kicked my ass lol

[@clairesauzel]

This was so interesting!! A lot of interests change when you're a young adult!

[@ChelseaCallahan]

Amen! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@lizavavilova9879]

well your artistic education and background might have not given the actress career but definitely developed the perceptive and profound feeling of life. Thats why it is so interesting to watch your life videos

[@harryjamessmithmusic7762]

You know, your story is really similar to mine. The only difference is that I studied music and musicology. Even got a PhD degree in 2018 (with honors). But it's worthless. I can't do anything with it. It's useless. There no academic jobs for me in my field. I'm from the EU btw. Great video! Cheers!

[@sabbottart]

This is actually August in Central Park. This is how bad NYC weather is.

[@jimyjosuerecancojventura9107]

You are so intelligent. Greetings from Guatemala!

[@GorgieClarissa]

I started out with theatre and heard the same thing - if you can do anything else beside theatre - do it. My university only offered a BA, NOT a BFA. So it was more writing papers than actually acting... so I decided to switch... to freaking liberal arts... went from one worthless degree to another. And when I say worthless... bc I know a lot of people just got offended.... if there is not a direct job outcome.... then it really is worthless. And acting is VERY interesting... because there IS a direct job outcome... but for literally the elite. And if you aren't a co-star on a popular tv show, or a big box movie star, you are going to be making peanuts. The average sag-aftra actor... AVERAGE.... meaning including the elite.... only make appx 7,000$ A YEAR. I don't think a theatre degree is worth it unless you get into a big school... like julliard. but if you leave theatre... DON'T GET A LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE.... that's even more worthless!!!

[@iamtabitha]

I have a bachelors in psychology and a masters in business, I do neither 😂

[@ChelseaCallahan]

i love it haha you are noooot alone!

[@Elizabeth-mf3dn]

Omg. So fucking relatable. I majored in illustration only to end up working in the design field. Not that design is horrible it’s just not what I envisioned.

[@oliviagiles]

I did a visual arts degree and in the last year of it I realised it was the wrong degree....I finished it then went on to do a creative writing degree....it would have saved me 30k if Id realised that that that visual art wasn't my path but hey, ya don't know what ya don't know

[@india_zulu]

Thank you Chelsea for making me laugh (another time, your videos are always so uplifting)! When the video began, I thought: why is she covering her mouth? This is so impractical for recording! Then I remembered…it’s 2021, the pandemic is still doing her thing. 🥴

[@TransparencyBodycam]

Would you ever get a dog?

[@ChelseaCallahan]

My current place doesn’t allow it but maybe some day!

[@pollytude1577]

Lovely! xx

[@ChelseaCallahan]

thank you 🙏🏻 ☺️

[@Phantomstories1831]

I was just saying that on my channel lol i went to school for broadcasting have a diploma but its just like acting jobs arnt always what u think they are lol

[@crispy1307]

Hello, не очень много снега)

[@the2show528]

I hope youll see this comment. read the interview with the devil by napoleon hill. Also study those like jim rohn and bob proctor 👑 Stay blessed and stay you

[@ChelseaCallahan]

I will check it out, thank you!

[@dontgiveinfo]

I learned college is a waste of time unless it's a specific skill set like medical, technical, or engineering. Everything is a total waste of money. If I could go back? i would after high school go learn welding, a trade, learn to operate huge machinary. It pays a lot and doesn't have student loans. Buy property somewhere remote and build a farm, barn and grow my own food, and live off grid

[@ChelseaCallahan]

I love this perspective!

[@mangokeylime1189]

Idgaf

[@ChelseaCallahan]

Girl then why you watchig