Performing Artists' Propensity for Shame and Regret

Performing artists deal with unique psychological challenges in their drive for excellence. One significant issue they often confront is a higher propensity for shame and regret, as part of the growing trend of failure shame in the arts. If failure shame continues to increase over the next ten years, young artists will experience a higher propensity for shame and regret as they enter higher education or professional programs.

This essay explores why artists are more likely to experience this propensity, what causes it, how it affects mental health, and some strategies to help cope and build resilience.

Propensity For Shame and Regret In the Performing Arts

Shame and regret are closely linked feelings that can impact how artists view themselves and their work. Shame is incredibly intense; it kicks in when people think they are not meeting their or others' expectations. Regret is a negative emotion involving self-blame and self-critical thinking about past decisions, often accompanied by sorrow and a desire to change outcomes. In the performing arts, where there is a lot of public attention and pressure to meet high standards, the chance of shame and regret is even greater.

Studies show that performers often deal with shame and regret because of their perfectionist tendencies, common in creative jobs. This perfectionism can come from within, where they push themselves hard, or from outside sources like pressure from teachers, friends, and audiences expecting nothing less than perfection (Nordin-Bates et al., 2011).

Being a perfectionist can create positive and negative experiences. While it can push you to do your best, it can also bring on some serious mental struggles. Not meeting those high standards can lead to shame and disappointment (Eusanio et al., 2014).

Performing artists often deal with feelings of shame and regret, and it is not just that—they also experience guilt and anxiety. There is a study in Frontiers in Psychology that shows when there is a gap between who you are and who you think you should be, it can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, which can then trigger anxiety and depression (Kaleńska-Rodzaj, 2020). This idea of self-discrepancy hits home for artists, especially since they are constantly under high expectations and scrutiny from others.

Failure Shapes Shame and Regret

Experiencing failure is a big deal when it comes to how performing artists feel shame and regret. Even though failure is often seen as a chance to learn something new in creative fields, it can have a profound and lasting effect on mental well-being. A famous music producer, Nile Rodgers, says acknowledging failure is key to professional growth and sparking creativity. (Rodgers, 2013). Worrying about making mistakes can hold artists back and stop them from diving into their creative flow (Thorley, 2018).

The way failure affects learning and motivation is complicated. Studies show that while failing can help us learn, it usually hurts our motivation and commitment to our goals—especially if we see failure as a personal flaw. (Eskreis-Winkler & Fishbach, 2020). Many beginners in the performing arts tend to see failure as a sign that they are not cut out for it, which can make them rethink whether they want to keep going after their dreams (Eskreis-Winkler & Fishbach, 2020).

Worrying too much about failing can hold artists back from fully tapping into their creativity, and it can lead to feeling regret down the line. This fear often goes hand in hand with anxiety and wanting everything to be perfect, which is super common in the performing arts. Worrying about meeting expectations can get you stuck in a cycle of criticizing yourself and having negative thoughts. This makes shame and regret even heavier (Anderson, 2023).

Psychological Impact on Performing Artists

The emotional effects of shame and regret on performers can be complex and have a significant impact on their mental health and creativity. A common issue that many musicians face is music performance anxiety (MPA), which often brings up feelings of shame and regret when a performance does not go as well as they hoped or others expected. According to a study in Frontiers in Psychology, MPA can have good and bad effects, shaping how performers feel overall (Kaleńska-Rodzaj, 2020), (Oh et al., 2023).

When a performer feels embarrassed, it can hurt their confidence and self-esteem. If you mess up or feel like you are not reaching your full potential, it can lead to serious regrets and hold you back from expressing yourself. For perfectionists in the arts, this can trigger many negative feelings like failing, feeling guilty, and not feeling good enough. These emotions may result in mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, and low self-worth. (Hill & Curran, 2016),(Eusanio et al., 2014).

Studies that examine how professional musicians deal with performance anxiety shed light on performers' emotional ups and downs. They highlight key themes like intense feelings of anxiety and the way musicians learn to cope, which are essential for grasping how they handle feelings of shame and regret (Kenny, 2011), (Papageorgi & Welch, 2020). This way of looking at things focuses on how performers feel and the emotional hurdles they face in their careers.

Coping Mechanisms and Resilience Strategies

Performers can benefit from coping strategies to deal with the challenging parts of feeling shame and regret. A 2023 study examined music performance anxiety (MPA) and how musicians handle it. It found that musicians use many techniques to manage their MPA, like staying positive, self-talk, focusing, deep breathing, and practicing. These strategies are often matched with the specific symptoms they are experiencing and when they need them, like right before a performance (Irie et al., 2023).

Interventions that boost self-esteem and tackle shame and regret can be helpful. Programs that encourage self-compassion and resilience can support artists in dealing with the pressures of perfectionism and help them build a healthier view of themselves (Neff & Germer, 2013), (Eusanio et al., 2014).

Switching from trying to be perfect to aiming for excellence (aiming for high but realistic standards) can help create a more flexible and optimistic mindset towards performance. It is important to have social support when dealing with psychological challenges. Studies show that musicians often depend on their friends and teachers to handle the stress of performing, even though they usually look for professional help with physical issues instead of mental ones. (Perkins et al., 2017), (Pecen et al., 2018).

Creating an atmosphere where artists feel comfortable sharing their emotional challenges can also help build resilience in the performing arts community (Niche Specialties in PM&R ACGME Training, 2025).

Wrap-Up

Artists often deal with shame and regret because of the unique pressures of their jobs (Niche Specialties in PM&R ACGME Training, 2025). With high expectations, a fear of failure, and constant public attention, it is no surprise that these feelings can become overwhelming, sometimes hindering their creativity and mental health (Niche Specialties in PM&R ACGME Training, 2025).

Understanding what is behind these feelings is crucial to creating better support systems for artists. By tackling the psychological issues at play and building resilience through specific strategies and supportive spaces, the performing arts community can move towards a healthier approach to creativity and performance (Niche Specialties in PM&R ACGME Training, 2025).

It is important to consider how artists feel since their mental health is tied to their creativity. We need to create an environment in the performing arts that values personal growth and emotional well-being just as much as artistic skills.

References

Anderson, R. K. (2023). Anxiety, Fear of Failure, and Creativity. Cambridge University Press EBooks, 461–478. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009031240.030

Eusanio, J., Thomson, P., & Jaque, S. V. (2014). Perfectionism, Shame, and Self-concept in Dancers: A Mediation Analysis. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 18(3), 106–114. https://doi.org/10.12678/1089-313x.18.3.106

Eskreis-Winkler, L., & Fishbach, A. (2020). Not learning from failure—the greatest failure of all. Psychological Science, 31(9), 1098-1113. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797619881133

Hill, A. P., & Curran, T. (2016). Multidimensional Perfectionism and Burnout. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 20(3), 269–288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868315596286

Irie, N., Morijiri, Y., & Yoshie, M. (2023). Symptoms of and coping strategies for music performance anxiety through different periods. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1138922‌

Kaleńska-Rodzaj, J. (2020). Music performance anxiety and pre-performance emotions in the light of psychology of emotion and emotion regulation. Psychology of Music, 49(6), 030573562096115. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735620961154

Kenny, D. T. (2011). The psychology of music performance anxiety. Oxford University Press.

Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A Pilot Study and Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21923

Niche Specialties in PM&R ACGME Training. (2025). Www.aapmr.org. https://www.aapmr.org/members-publications/newsletters/physiatrist-in-training-e-newsletter/phit-board-updates/niche-specialties-in-pm-r-acgme-training?

Nordin-Bates, S. M., Cumming, J., Aways, D., & Sharp, L. (2011). Imagining Yourself Dancing to Perfection? Correlates of Perfectionism Among Ballet and Contemporary Dancers. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 5(1), 58–76. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.5.1.58

Oh, H.-J., Lee, D., & Cho, H. (2023). The differential roles of shame and guilt in the relationship between self-discrepancy and psychological maladjustment. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1215177

Papageorgi, I., & Welch, G. F. (2020). "A Bed of Nails": Professional Musicians' Accounts of the Experience of Performance Anxiety From a Phenomenological Perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.605422

Pecen, E., Collins, D. J., & MacNamara, Á. (2018). "It's Your Problem. Deal with It." Performers' Experiences of Psychological Challenges in Music. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02374‌‌‌

Perkins, R., Reid, H., Araújo, L. S., Clark, T., & Williamon, A. (2017). Perceived Enablers and Barriers to Optimal Health among Music Students: A Qualitative Study in the Music Conservatoire Setting. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00968

Rodgers, N. (2013). Le Freak: An upside-down story of family, disco, and destiny. Spiegel & Grau.

Thorley, M. (2018). The role of failure in developing creativity in professional music recording and production. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 30, 160–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2018.05.002