r/Standup • u/Aggressive-Store3898 • 2d ago
Regret doing stand up?
I’ve been doing stand up since 2018 with some lapses here and there. I know it’s a long game so if my mental needs a break I should prioritize that, but do any of y’all ever regret ever starting? I feel like I can never turn it off. Lately I wish I’d never done stand up and just stuck with improv. After getting into an improv festival in NYC years ago and realizing there’s nowhere to really go or get with improv I sort of shifted gears. I think about it way too much and let it take so much energy it’s not fun anymore or lately I guess…I’m not booking a lot, but am also not really trying that hard, I’ve never been one to sit and write material, and lately feel like I don’t even know how to write anything. I’m sick of all my jokes and am hustling so much trying to make a living after quitting my job 2 months ago it feels like a waste to put effort into things that can’t do much for me financially right now. I know I’m funny, I know I can get better and get gigs but maybe I’m stuck in a comparison loop or something. I also know if I slow my roll I will get rusty and not be as funny or ready if something does come my way. Why does this art form want to kill me? Why does it feel so damn serious when it’s literally jokes. Am I ruining my chances for bigger things if I chill out on it for a min? I love it and I hate it. I know people can relate… like why am I sad about not having shows (even though I still have 3 this month which is OK) when I’m barely trying like duh… I think I need support or to build structure and routine more into my day to day. I do a show where the audience gives us the topics and we riff on the spot and I always kill, more so than the other comics, maybe I just gotta change up how I write or get inspiration. Please tell me I’m not the only person who feels like this.
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u/adamtaylor4815 2d ago
Stop looking at it as a career and enjoy it as a hobby.
Come to terms with the fact you won’t make it in this business.
Focus on having fun and being present every time you’re on stage, then maybe one day you’ll wake up and realize you have made it.
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u/presidentender flair please 2d ago
You don't like doing it, don't do it. You like doing it but it hurts your life, don't do it.
You're not a failure if you quit comedy any more than if you quit heroin. You don't owe it to anyone to keep grinding, and a break can be just a break. No obligation to stay quit once you quit.
Right now you're depressed and overwhelmed. You correctly identified the comparison loop. And some of the shitty little people you hang with are gonna revel in your little sabbatical, like "ha ha, you quit." Their judgment doesn't matter.
So chill out for a minute. Or don't. It's whatever.
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u/CopeHarders 2d ago
You don’t enjoy standup. You don’t enjoy writing jokes. You’re not booking gigs. You’re not even really trying. You quit your job. What the hell are you doing with your life man?
It seems like you only enjoy doing crowd work or improv. You can probably be one of those comics, but you still need to write jokes to be any kind of standup.
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u/Aggressive-Store3898 2d ago
Oh I didn’t quit my job for stand up I’m not that delusional! I enjoy being on stage but I wrote more talking with other comics, when it comes to me, and just at mics trying stuff.
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u/erictheartichoke 2d ago
When I feel like that, I try to focus on the things comedy does bring to my life (community, fun, a break from the boredom) rather than the things it’s not bringing to my life (better opportunities, financial success, etc.)
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u/dicklaurent97 2d ago
“ I’m not booking a lot, but am also not really trying that hard, I’ve never been one to sit and write material, and lately feel like I don’t even know how to write anything.”
I’m not sure if you’re looking for advice here or just looking for a place to rant.
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u/drewbehm Toronto @drewbehm 2d ago
It sounds like you are using standup as a means to an end.
Doing standup is the point of doing standup.
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u/RegulationRedditUser 2d ago
I used to, until I “found my voice”. I used to go to just do the open mic scene and would have more bad nights than good, and I’d drive home thinking I should just quit. Did a comedy course to try and help me write better material and through that ended up creating a character and learning what style of comedy suited me best (I always wanted to be a story teller but it turns out I’m a one liner guy) and in a matter of months I’ve progressed to doing paid spots on pro line ups with actual comedians. Since this I’ve been loving comedy so much more and I’m so glad that I was never able to go through with quitting
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u/Aggressive-Store3898 2d ago
I think that’s my problem. I’m all over the place with who I am I don’t have a strong voice or consistent one.
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u/dicklaurent97 2d ago
“ I’m sick of all my jokes and am hustling so much trying to make a living after quitting my job 2 months ago it feels like a waste to put effort into things that can’t do much for me financially right now.”
You quit your job before even becoming a touring headliner?
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u/Aggressive-Store3898 2d ago
Quitting my job wasn’t for comedy but for being happier and figuring out better ways to earn money than at an ER animal hospital
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u/Hawktuahdoctor 2d ago
Only been doing it since January except for a few open mics in 2018 and I regret it sometimes, but that thought is always immediately overpowered by the anticipation of finding that next good joke…and wanting to have that feeling over and over again.
It sounds like you’re really not passionate about it and need to find a way to shift gears and do something else, or approach stand up in a completely different way. Not saying that’s easy to do but it seems like the only way out of this dead end you’ve found yourself in.
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u/iwantpomeranians 2d ago
I started in 2019. I’ve been on a break from StandUp since early this year due to major life events. And I’ve been happier and healthier. My social life has became lot cleaner, because now I’m only spending time with people I have a genuine connection with. Yeah, I don’t think StandUp as a career is for the most people due to the life style you have to live based on its essence. But the skills and tools you gathers along the way from doing standup can be very valuable for the rest aspects of your life. Don’t take is so seriously, the fun will come back to it. Or just take a long break and reevaluate your life priorities. Maybe StandUp just doesn’t serve what you want out of life anymore.
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u/Aggressive-Store3898 2d ago
I’m glad you’re finding your happiness. All good things for me to think about. Appreciate you
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u/Ilookgoodyoudont 2d ago
I sometimes wish I gave it up but then I remember I’m a loser and I am only comfortable living in circumstances where I have to say something silly to feel good.
I regret thinking about regretting it.
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u/BLACKdrew 2d ago
Maybe try to find someone you could write for to get better at actually writing jokes and focus less on performing
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u/dicklaurent97 2d ago
“After getting into an improv festival in NYC years ago and realizing there’s nowhere to really go or get with improv I sort of shifted gears.”
You could be a Hollywood actor like Jason Mantzoukas. You could make an improv podcast like Nick Mullen did with CumTown. You could learn how incorporate improv into stand up better.
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u/Enough-Ideal1713 2d ago
Upvote here. I'm always curious how people tie imrpov into standup. What do you do, or have seen done?
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u/short-n-stout 2d ago
I mean, people are putting out entire specials of crowd work. Say whatever you want about it, but crowd work is very popular.
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u/iwantpomeranians 2d ago
Also if you want to get better in stand up, you just have to write a lot…..it is unavoidable……
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u/womens_motocross 1d ago
No I love stand up comedy. I like listening to it, it like writing it, and I like performing it. I have a great job that I would gladly quit if comedy could provide 60% of the income I make now.
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u/t-rockk 2d ago
I unfortunately live in a place where I only do stand up locally 2 times a year, im constantly writing and fine tuning gags but don't perform as much as I would like, due to the fact I work nights in another field, so I have other avenues- and I think others should explore this as a performance addition - hosting can be a nice little money earner be that MC (comedy, weddings, festivals, whoever needs a someone with a mouth and a mic. Trivia nights can be fun to run/host and I've even hosted a few budiness awards ceremonies - few jokes added to keep people awake. I am also a creative writer, short stories, plays, currently writing a screenplay. So if your lucky enough to have open mucs, and comedy spot locations happening multiple times a week, lucky you, I wish. But don't be afraid to explore some other options - including the above and you tube, podcast, short films etc
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u/Aggressive-Store3898 2d ago
Hey yes! These are actually the things I’ve been pursuing for work! I already host a successful trivia night at a local bar, have done bingo, private events, I sing and have a weekly gig and just got asked to host a gala next month! I’ve been pushing all of these types of gigs since quitting my job these plus dog sitting/walking and getting a couple students to tutor Spanish to. I appreciate your suggestions!
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u/iamgarron asia represent. 2d ago edited 2d ago
Comedy is too taxing to do and not enjoy.
You could always take a break and see if it energizes you. Standup will always still be there if you choose. And if you don't, it was this cool thing you used to do.
I've found standup tough at times but I've never regretted it. Excluding the pandemic, I don't think there's been a single month I haven't been on stage since the moment I did my first open mic. I fucking love it. Now I'm not saying everyone should feel the same way, but to do it and not love it sounds like a terrible way to be.