You sit down to post about your new single, and suddenly you feel frozen. You stare at the screen, unsure how to start. You remember that last live stream that felt a little off. Or the comment that stung more than you’d like to admit.
Instead of feeling proud or excited, you feel pressure.
This is what I call Spotlight Fear.
It doesn’t show up when you’re just getting started. It shows up when things begin to work.
You’ve laid the foundation. You’ve built your brand, played some cool shows, started growing your email list. You’ve done the hard part of preparing.
Now people are watching. And that changes things.
Because being visible means being vulnerable. It means someone might criticize your voice or question your choices.
It means the next show will be compared to the last one. It means your next post might not perform the way you hoped.
Suddenly, everything you do feels like it needs to top what came before.
This is the moment when many artists start to pull back. Sometimes they stop posting. Sometimes they delay their next release. Sometimes they just fade into the background. Not because they’re not passionate anymore, but because they’re afraid to disappoint.
If you recognize that in yourself, I want you to know that you’re not alone.
Spotlight Fear is normal. It doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for this. In fact, it means you care.
But it is not a reason to shrink.
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t have to live up to some idealized version of yourself that you think your fans are holding on to.
You just need to keep showing up. Your audience is not looking for the most polished version of you. They are looking for something real.
They are already connected to your music and your message. That’s why they are here.
So if you feel yourself backing away from your momentum, I want you to pause and ask yourself something. Is this Spotlight Fear?
If it’s fear, call it what it is. Don’t let it take the driver’s seat. Transport yourself back to those early days when one comment on a post was exciting. When one person coming up to your merch table after a show felt so validating.
You wanted the spotlight and now you have it. Don't let fear steal the joy of this moment and new stage of your career.
Keep going. Keep showing up. You are not here by accident.
Always in your corner,
<3 Bree
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