-- By Faith Hibbs-Clark, CD 25+ years, Creator of the Acting Science Method™

Happy Valentine’s Day to my incredible acting fam! 🌹 Today, we’re skipping the chocolates, roses, and candlelit dinners (unless craft services is stepping up their game) to focus on something way more important—self-love. 💕
Why? Because this industry will throw you curveballs, criticisms, and callbacks you don’t land. 😩 But the secret sauce to thriving isn’t just talent—it’s taking care of YOU.✨ Science even backs it up—practicing self-love reduces stress and boosts resilience, which means fewer meltdowns and more magic on set. 🌟 Take it from the stars—self-love is the real star of the show!
Viola Davis
Viola Davis emphasizes that self-love comes from focusing on inner worth rather than external validation. “Validation is not the goal. Being your most authentic self is,” she once said. Davis advocates journaling and reflecting on her achievements as a way to counter self-doubt and break free from the need to please everyone. Her approach has helped her take bold, authentic roles that align with her values, showing how believing in your worth leads to career-defining choices.
Hugh Jackman credits mindfulness practices for helping him stay grounded. “Meditation has taught me to accept myself, flaws and all,” he explains. With a career full of intense, high-pressure roles, Jackman makes time daily for meditation to quiet the critical voice in his head and foster self-compassion. His advice to actors? “Give yourself permission to be a work in progress.”
Emma Stone
Emma Stone has been open about her struggles with anxiety and how self-love helped her stay steady. Echoing the advice I used to give her in training sessions, she says, “I’ve learned to treat myself the way I’d treat my best friend.” Stone practices this philosophy by being kinder to herself amid career ups and downs, allowing for mistakes, and using affirmations. For her, self-acceptance is the key to staying creative and vulnerable on screen.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves advocates for connecting with your passions as a form of self-love. Known for his humility despite worldwide fame, Reeves says, “I focus on doing what I love, not what others expect of me.” This attitude has led him to select roles and projects that resonate with his personal interests. Reeves reminds actors to keep sight of what fuels their passion and to give themselves the respect they deserve.
And don’t forget, this industry makes us feel A LOT—joy, heartbreak, awkward silences when your improv partner forgets their cue. 💀 But when you treat yourself with some compassion, you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving. 🌟
This Valentine’s Day, treat yourself to something GOOD. Maybe it’s a solo coffee date ☕, 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep (yes, please 😴), or a cheesy rom-com marathon where you’re cheering for the lead because SPOILER—you’re the lead of your own story. 💥
❤️ Call to Action for My Actors ❤️
Today, give yourself the kind of love you give to the characters you play. Protect your peace, honor your process, and remember—if life throws rejection your way, yell “NEXT!” and move on like the badass you are. Now, where’s my chocolate? 🍫🥰 Happy Valentine’s Day, you stars! Keep shining. ⭐
Show yourself some self-love with this Actors Action Club that is Ideal if you are on a budget or have a tight schedule. This club offers quality audution training from me, career planning, and a welcoming CMFA community to help you thrive in our Secret Chat Group. You will get practice and feedback from me and other in our group.
$19.99 a month gives you 🎥 Monthly Practice Script & Recorded Lesson Video 🎥 Monthly Mentor Magazine / Workbook 🎥 Private chat group access for networking and feedback 🎥 10% off all additional workshops
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Faith is a body language expert who specialized in deception detection before becoming a casting director and working in the film industry for over 25 years. She is the founder of the Communication Method for Actors, LLC & the creator of the Acting Science Method ™. www.cmfatraining.com