I have always had an interest in clowning but I have always been hesitant to really commit to performing as a clown because of what the people in my life will say.
Now, I realize that you should not care what others think of your decisions but it's only human to respond to what other think and say about our choices.
I was wondering if anyone has encountered any "resistance" from their family or friends about their decision to become a clown. Now I’m not talking about the “I hate Clowns” people – for years I was outwardly a clown hater. But it was only because I was jealous of those people out there entertaining. I’m talking about the people you encounter every day.

Thanks

I totally understand where you are coming from. I got a lot of "Resistance" from people close to me.

A lot of them felt that a clown was not really a profession , vocation or lifestyle of ANY sort. Just JUMP IN and it will eventually blow over when everyone gets used to it. Just dont be so much a clown around them.

I hear ya! I haven't really encountered anyone who had a problem with it. I have wondered if this person or that would accept it, but I've been pleasantly surprised. Once I decided to do this though, it wouldn't matter who agreed or disagreed. I'm on a mission!
:wink:
Jubilee

I know what you mean about resistance. Try doing it when your a teenager interested in girls also. Needless to say my dating life in school stank.
My biggest resistance was my mom. She was afraid I would run off and join the Circus :lol:
I never thought I had a chance with the circus, Couldn't juggle, couldn't ride a unicycle (thinking of trying it though, just to see if I can :wink:) I just don't think I could of passed the audition for Ringling.
But it never stopped me from clowning. What caused me to stop clowning for 15 plus years was a number of things. First I wanted to make guitars, then I outgrew my costume I hit a growth spurt about the time I turned 18 and all of a sudden, my arms wouldn't go into the sleeves anymore. By the time I was out of school, I got married, started my apprenticeship and a family and began a career running a music store. When I my wife and I got married I told her I wanted to clown again, and she was very supportive! She plans on clowning too, we just need to get her costume done. I have no intention of stopping again.
Years ago I heard a quote That I have tried to live by in regards to opposition: "Sucess is determined by what it takes to stop you."

If you want to clown. Do it.

I really love this topic...

I would like some help, because I recently have started a clown course and I really love it... But... Sometimes, I own create a resistance with my clown and have problems when somebody who know me, discover that I'm starting to be a clown... Recently, I'll try to forget it and do it as usually as any other job or hobby... But, I need to break more this inside wall of me... And accept my clown better...

Picaburu...

You know what? I feel that once you realize that you are a clown on the inside, all you're doing is putting on make up so the outside matches what you feel inside. If people can't accept that, they will in time.
Hang in there.
Jubilee

I've just decided to become a clown so most of my family thinks it's neat! Because I've always been the "clown" of the family! Some are rolling their eyes :roll: I don't listen to the ones who mock me or think I'm nuts! Those one's just persuade me more to do it.

Listen to what's in your heart, not to what others might say!

Panetta

i am a rodeo clown bullfighter so the whole risistance came from my family not wantin me to get hurt bu as for bein a clown they think its neet and most of the ppl i hang around are rodeo or ranch related so they think im just goin further with my clownin

You just have to be who you are!
8)
Jubilee

You just have to be who you are!
8)
Jubilee

This is too true!

Sometimes those around us find it difficult to accept, but you must be true to yourself.
Family and true friends will adapt to your behaviour, even if it is new or something that they have never seen you do before.

The only resistance I got from family was from my own kids when the reached their teens! Needless to say I have not taken much notice of their complaining because their friends all think I'm cool! :lol: Still outside of my family nobody takes me seriously :lol:

Actually I have felt that my clowning can occasionally have a negative effect on my other church activitiies because of the way people perceive me as only good with kids. For example people are often surprized when they find that I can hold my own with the big gun theologians.

You just have to be who you are!
8)
Jubilee

This is too true!

Sometimes those around us find it difficult to accept, but you must be true to yourself.
Family and true friends will adapt to your behaviour, even if it is new or something that they have never seen you do before.

But, in fact, we aren't always true with ourselves... I'm trying to do it, 'cause sometimes we conflict ourselves when we discover some "ghost" inside of us that was (at that moment) hard to accept it...

I know about it... because I recently have passed on it in a clown exercise... And I'm trying it yet...

Picaburu

I know what you mean about resistance. Try doing it when your a teenager interested in girls also. Needless to say my dating life in school stank.
My biggest resistance was my mom. She was afraid I would run off and join the Circus :lol:
I never thought I had a chance with the circus, Couldn't juggle, couldn't ride a unicycle (thinking of trying it though, just to see if I can :wink:) I just don't think I could of passed the audition for Ringling.
But it never stopped me from clowning. What caused me to stop clowning for 15 plus years was a number of things. First I wanted to make guitars, then I outgrew my costume I hit a growth spurt about the time I turned 18 and all of a sudden, my arms wouldn't go into the sleeves anymore. By the time I was out of school, I got married, started my apprenticeship and a family and began a career running a music store. When I my wife and I got married I told her I wanted to clown again, and she was very supportive! She plans on clowning too, we just need to get her costume done. I have no intention of stopping again.
Years ago I heard a quote That I have tried to live by in regards to opposition: "Sucess is determined by what it takes to stop you."

If you want to clown. Do it.

Seeing your history, it's a life's example for me to never deliver our dreams and doing what do you need to do regardless the situation.

Now, I know what do you passed by, 'cause since my 13 years old I would like to work with art (annoucement boy on TV or theater), but my father would like to do a technician course in electrical-electronical area... Nowadays, I re-discovered my passion in arts, and restart to meet him on it.... I need to work and continue work in computers area, but I'll never give up from my dream to work with arts (specially, clowning). And like you, recently I discovered that my girlfriend will subscribe in the same course that I do... She intends to be a clown too... I really love it...

Thanks a lot for your experience, Scruffy!!!!

Picaburu