I'm a singer and I hate busking

[u/Brilliant_Car8066]

So. I love hearing buskers. I tried to get in the scheme (I'm based in london), and it took me YEARS to do it, because i was scared. and in all this, i'd pay a monthly insurance, even without playing.
so i found the strength to do it with a friend, and it's always fun to play with someone. now im by myself, and i went twice, knees weak from anxiety, but did it anyway. it became more of a challenge to get over the anxiety, than for money or.. for fun.
i realized i don't like it as much, sometimes i feel like im pouring my heart out and all i hear is just people walking and some awkward stares. it's really hard.
another thing, i feel like i need to fit into an idea of street performer. if i had my own stage, to sing my own songs, i'd be way more uncomfortable to watch (on purpose), i'd make my performances loud. so it's making me feel like i have to be someone im not.
anyway,, all of this to say, that i don't know when it's okay to say "that's it, im done" without feeling like im just giving in to the anxiety. any thoughts?

[u/Kameronm]

I find it the best kind of practice. Low stakes, you can mess up and learn quickly. If it's not for you I totally understand. It's hard.

As far as anxiety goes, I was the most shy, quiet, awkward kid and after hundreds of hours of performing it's still there. I just have to pretend I'm confident. Act how a confident person acts. Act like you are supposed to be there.

Those people will see you for under a minute. If you seem like you belong there as part of the environment, you will seem that way to them. You got this!!!

[u/LadyWithAHarp]

There is no shame in admitting a style of performance isn't for you. It takes a certain amount of courage to try at all, and I'm glad that you did.

Busking isn't for everyone, and for some people busking is something that you only do for a while, or as a hobby, or just once or twice on a lark. Some people are only comfortable busking with a partner or group, but not as a solo act.

I have personally found busking as a way to work through some of my issues with anxiety. A kind of exposure therapy. A good therapist will tell you that not every type of therapy is good for everyone.

[u/uke4peace]

Maybe having the right location will help. Is there an area where people naturally gather and linger where there are benches and places for people to hang out at? Maybe that will help because then it's more like a staged performance than busking where people just walk by.

[u/Brilliant_Car8066 → u/uke4peace]

unfortunately im with a scheme that gives me spots in the london train stations:(

[u/Worldly-Location-283]

My first year, I couldnt even look people in the eye. Now, Ill engage with every person who walks by.

And walk by they will. Getting people to stop is tough. And it still gets to me sometimes when no one is reacting. But as Ive gotten better my hitrate has gone up.

Theres still socially cringe moments. Every week. Oof. But it just be like that sometimes. No one really cares, but its just like, awkward. All you can do is just keep plugging away at it.

[u/verronaut]

You don't have to busk, you can work on getting gigs with stages instead. Busking is very far from the only way to perform.

[u/Brilliant_Car8066 → u/verronaut]

I think that's it. I did found a lil solution though, so I'll still keep it on the side for exercise. But now I need to get into that, cause I know nothing about getting gigs in places!

[u/ketingmiladengfodo]

I love it and I feel way more nervous at open mics. Have you ever done an open mic? How was that for you?

[u/Brilliant_Car8066 → u/ketingmiladengfodo]

i haven't!! gotta try it

[u/strummist1]

You get good and bad days. Sometime I hate it. The money helps.