The Art of Being Alone
I was chatting with an actor friend.
We both laughed about how the stage rewards you —
even when you’re escaping yourself.
There’s something seductive about stepping into another person’s story.
Saying their lines.
Carrying their heartbreak instead of your own.
You disappear for a while,
and people applaud you for how well you vanish.
That’s why, for actors, being alone on stage,
wrapped in script, costume, and lights,
can feel easy.
But being alone when no one’s watching?
That’s harder.
These days, I don’t perform much for an audience.
I perform for myself.
Sometimes I catch myself lying.
Alone is where I admit it.
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Warmly,
George Chan
This Is How We Heal
George Chan, MCOU, is a Counsellor, Grief Educator and Breathwork Coach who specialises in helping individuals navigate grief and loss through his private practice, This Is How We Heal. With a rich background in theatre and entertainment, George brings creativity and empathy to his work. When he's not in the therapy room, you might find him directing, choreographing, working on a new production—or spending time with Luna, his Jack Russell Terrier, who doubles as his unofficial co-therapist and production critic.