Reflections on Balancing Life and Comedy
Balancing life and trying to make headway in the realm of stand-up comedy feels a lot like trying to make sense of one of Joe Biden’s sentences–dizzying. Performing more, writing fresh material, and generating content seem like essentials to building a name and career in comedy, especially at first, but when you’re working full-time and raising kids, it can feel almost impossible to make it all happen. But I’m trying and, honestly, I’m learning a lot.
One thing I’ve learned is that organization isn’t optional. It’s necessary for both sanity and survival. Comedy, for me, isn’t merely or only about getting on stage; it’s about creating a system to support the work I want to do. And I do mean “system.” Increasingly, I’m putting stuff on a customized calendar because, if I don’t, well, I know myself well enough to know that it probably won’t happen. Some nights, that means writing jokes for 20 minutes after the kids go to bed. Other times, it means planning social media posts during a lull in the day. Staying organized might not sound glamorous, but it’s a surefire way to keep the wheels turning.
That means planning content ahead of time is non-negotiable. Whether it’s blog posts, social media clips, or a setlist for a show, I try to map out what I need to produce each month and, within that each week, and within that each day. It’s not always easy and it’s not always fun. But planning ahead means, in the long run, I don’t waste time scrambling to come up with ideas. Plus, the more I plan, the more consistent I can be, and consistency is key when you’re trying to grow in anything, even being a comedian. Getting myself in a routine is a nice accomplishment but if I can get others to make my routine part of theirs, well, that’s a huge accomplishment.
Of course, organization and planning mean nothing without commitment. Balancing comedy and life takes discipline. It’s easy to say, “I’ll work on my set later,” or “I’ll record that podcast tomorrow,” but if I keep pushing it off, nothing gets done. If it’s on the calendar for tomorrow, fine; but, if it’s on there today, I have to be very intentional about reaching my goals. I’ve had to learn to commit to the process, even on days when I’d rather crash on the couch. It’s not always enjoyable, but it’s worth it. When I get show invites, hear laughs, have great interactions with others, etc., it’s totally worth it.
Another big lesson? Giving myself grace. Life happens. Kids get sick, work deadlines pile up, and some days I just don’t have it in me to write jokes or create posts or record podcasts or make memes. And, on occasion, that’s okay. Like anything, balancing life and comedy isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and keeping at it even when it feels like progress is slow. I remind myself that every joke I write, every set I perform, and every episode I post is a step forward, no matter how small. Even if people aren’t watching, liking, sharing, etc., I keep going and hoping momentum will pick up along the way. And I trust it will.
Balancing life and comedy at this stage in the game is sometimes challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding. It forces me to be intentional with my time, to prioritize what matters, and to stay focused on the bigger picture. Because, at the end of the day, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping off stage, knowing I made it work and, for now, that’s enough to keep this dream alive.
To help me keep this dream alive, something I’m going to start doing is using my various social media channels for different ends. Something super simple and awesome you can do is subscribe/follow me on one of your favorite platforms or all of the following: Substack for blogs/podcasts, Spotify or Apple for podcasts, X for jokes, Facebook or Instagram for memes, and/or YouTube for podcasts and clips/promos. Thank you!