<p>As I live my life backward, I’m doing things in midlife that I was too chicken to do when I was a teen. This includes taking acting classes and participating in community theater.</p>
<p>Over the past two years, I’ve been an extra in a made for TV movie, have had a lead role in a movie done by students at a local college, have participated in some roles in our progressive community theater’s cabarets, and just got picked for a great part in the “V” (can’t spell it out here) Monologues.</p>
<p>Anyone else involved in acting?</p>
<p>Interestingly, younger S, too, has gotten involved in acting, and has decided to be a theater minor. He also has a role in a production at his college.</p>
<p>Both of us were really shy when we were young, so it’s interesting to see how in our own ways, we’re blossoming, though S is lucky in that he is blossoming much younger than I did.</p>
<p>I am not involved in theatre, but I sing in a community chorus. Does that count? Doing something that is totally outside of work and family is so great. I have been doing this for a long time. Have learned a lot about music and met some really great people. It is one of my very favorite things to do.</p>
<p>It counts, franglish.
I wish I had titled this, “any other parents exploring their artistic sides”?</p>
<p>Isn’t it great to be learning new things and forging new paths at midlife?</p>
<p>Northstarmom–good for you! That sounds really fun! franglish, yours sounds enjoyable, also!</p>
<p>I highly, highly recommend finding something “other” to do. Volunteering, tutoring, reading in the local library. Doing something in the arts, if you are so inclined. It’s so valuable to everyone, inside one’s immediate circle, and outside. And, these days, I think the arts are super important, as is community service. The country needs all the positive energy it can get! Without the arts, I feel that we are really going to be in more trouble.</p>
<p>We know what so many teens who post on CC don’t know: The purpose of doing ECs is not to get into college, but to live a fulfilling life.</p>
<p>So little time, so many facets of myself to discover and develop…</p>
<p>Northstarmom, I like how you said you are living your life backward and I have always said the same thing. In my late 20’s - early 30’s, I started doing all the things that my family couldn’t afford to pay for while I was growing up. I took dance lessons, piano lessons, joined a hockey team, and several other things that I wanted so desperately to do as a child. I’m really glad I “went back” and did those things, as it gave me a sense of completion somehow. Once I was done growing myself up, I had my kids, and I think I was a better parent than I would have been otherwise.</p>
<p>"I started doing all the things that my family couldn’t afford to pay for while I was growing up. I took dance lessons, piano lessons, joined a hockey team, and several other things that I wanted so desperately to do as a child.</p>
<p>It’s wonderful that you gave yourself those gifts. I’ve seen many parents who grew up similar to you, but who instead of giving themselves those experiences as adults, tried to relive their childhood through their kids, who had no interest in the activities that their loving parents forced them to do instead of allowing the kids to pursue their own interests.</p>
<p>I agree with you: By giving yourself those gifts, you probably were a better parent than you would have been otherwise. And you’ve enriched your life and your families’ lives immeasurably.</p>
<p>blankmind–what a great story. It is important to cultivate your interests, agree franglish. I’ve seen what you’ve described, Northstarmom (vicarious living!) a number of times. </p>
<p>Funny, now that I’m planning on going back to work, I suddenly have a desire to pursue things that I didn’t as a stay-at-home mom. Entertaining at home, etc. Maybe there is a momentum factor or an ‘assessing your life during change’ variable. </p>
<p>I admire those who pursuing things for themselves, while still juggling work, family, house & spouse. 
Any tips for the rest of us? :-)</p>
<p>I think the secret is realizing that you are as important as is the rest of your family. It’s also important to realize that the rest of the family should have responsibilities for the household. The house shouldn’t be just yours to worry about and take responsibility for.</p>
<p>Some of the best moms I have known are those who made a point of carving out “me” time. This included a mom I know who’s a poet and who once a year would spend a couple of weeks alone in a cabin writing poetry. </p>
<p>It’s important to also view fathers as important parents, not competent ones who shouldn’t be left alone with the kids. It’s also important to realize that the mom’s way isn’t the only good way of doing things for the kids and around the house.</p>
<p>Finally, it’s important to realize that being overworked, stressed, feeling overwhelmed aren’t signs that you are a good mom. Unfortunately, many of us are raised to believe that unless we’re doing so much with the kids/house that we’re miserable, we aren’t being a good mom or wife.</p>
<p>Northstarmom,
I have read some previous posts where you described your new acting persona. I am insanely jealous. Way back in the dark ages, I had lead roles in school plays and now I have one child in particular with the acting bug. You have inspired me to at least think about whether I want to look into local community theater auditions. Who’s looking for a short middle-aged woman? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I sing in a community chorus, too. I love the music and I love the camraderie and the teamwork (which I didn’t realize I was missing until I joined the chorus.) I wake up on rehearsal days thinking, “Oh boy, I’ve got chorus tonight!”</p>
<p>There are plenty of roles in community theater for short, middle-aged women. You just can’t be in the play, “Three tall women”, that a short, middle-aged friend of mine tried out for and was turned down for because she was too short.</p>
<p>A lot of colleges also do the V (rest would be censored by CC) Monologues each year, which has plenty of roles for women of all ages.</p>
<p>Check out, too, your local community college, which may do plays with large casts that are open to the community. For instance, my local college did “A Christmas Carol”, which had dozens of roles including for people our age.</p>
<p>Over the years, I have been involved on stage in Community Theater productions and in an auditioned chorus. It’s a lot of fun (and work), and I have really enjoyed everything I’ve done.</p>
<p>The community theater political satire show that I was in last night sold out, and the performances were amazing, and the audience loved us. I am so glad to have discovered this side of myself while I’m still able to use these newly discovered talents. Life isn’t long enough for all of the living that we could do. Live your bucket list now.</p>