“You acquire energy, braveness and confidence by each expertise through which you actually cease to look concern within the face.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
There’s a quiet second earlier than the highlight hits when every thing in your physique needs to run.
Your palms tremble. Your voice tightens. Your breath shortens, although the room remains to be. You’re keen on what you do—you’ve skilled, practiced, ready—however out of the blue, it’s like another person is in your physique. Your abilities vanish. Your confidence implodes.
That’s the yips.
And should you’re an artist, musician, author, instructor—anybody whose work lives in public view—you’ve in all probability met them too.
The First Collapse
For me, the primary time the yips confirmed up, I used to be about ten years outdated, standing on a Little League pitcher’s mound. I had a robust arm and an actual love for the sport, so that they made me the pitcher.
It felt like an honor—till it turned a nightmare.
I couldn’t throw a strike. Not one. I walked batter after batter. The tougher I attempted, the more severe it acquired. My coaches shouted. My teammates rolled their eyes. And worst of all, I didn’t know why it was taking place. I knew the best way to pitch. I wished to pitch. However my physique wouldn’t cooperate.
My confidence didn’t simply erode—it imploded.
That have carved one thing into me, and years later, it returned in a special kind—on stage, with a viola in my palms.
The Yips in Music
I had taken up guitar earlier and performed in public just a few instances. Slightly nerves, certain, however nothing overwhelming. However the viola was completely different.
The viola wasn’t simply an instrument—it was a dedication. I beloved the sound, the subtlety, the vary. However the second I sat right down to play chamber music or solo items—particularly in entrance of discerning classical audiences—I froze.
My bow hand would shake uncontrollably. My tone would collapse. My breath shortened. My fingers, regular in rehearsal, betrayed me below stress. It wasn’t just a bit stage fright. It was full-body paralysis. And I wasn’t simply nervous—I used to be ashamed.
I may really feel the others round me adjusting their taking part in, making an attempt to remain in sync, politely pretending to not discover the scraping sound of my trembling bow. I wasn’t simply failing myself—I felt like I used to be slowly unraveling one thing lovely we had constructed collectively.
That disgrace lasted longer than any applause ever may.
Ultimately, I ended performing. It damage an excessive amount of.
However Then, a Totally different Tune
What’s unusual is that I can nonetheless play old-time fiddle music in public. Ozark waltzes, hoedowns, reels—I can play these in entrance of a crowd with power and pleasure.
Why?
As a result of individuals are shifting. They’re dancing. They’re smiling. There’s an trade taking place—name and response, power to power. Nobody’s seeking to critique each phrase. They simply wish to really feel alive.
That shift—from judgment to participation—made all of the distinction.
It was my first clue that the issue wasn’t nearly nerves. It was about dissonance.
When Perception and Expertise Conflict
What I didn’t perceive as a child—however see now in myself, my college students, and even my very own kids—is that the yips aren’t simply efficiency anxiousness. They’re the outward signs of cognitive dissonance: the psychological and emotional pressure that occurs when who we consider we’re doesn’t match what we’re experiencing.
This dissonance doesn’t simply journey us up. It may possibly make us doubt the very core of our identification. And in artistic work, that doubt will be devastating.
Widespread Inventive Cognitive Dissonances
Through the years—as a filmmaker, instructor, and musician—I’ve seen these patterns many times:
1. “I’m passionate and expert” vs. “I simply froze in entrance of everybody.”
You recognize you’re good. However in that essential second, one thing inside shuts down. The disconnect appears like failure, even when it’s simply concern.
2. “I consider in artistic freedom” vs. “I censor myself when others are watching.”
We crave authenticity. However the second we really feel noticed, we retreat into secure concepts and bland decisions.
3. “I wish to create one thing significant” vs. “Nobody will care about this.”
You consider within the work, however a voice in your head tells you it’s not essential. That voice retains you from ending—or from beginning in any respect.
4. “I worth progress” vs. “I ought to already be good at this.”
Even lifelong learners fall into this entice. Particularly these of us with expertise. We overlook the best way to be rookies once more.
5. “I’m a artistic individual” vs. “I can’t appear to complete something.”
The interior identification and the outer actuality don’t match. That hole turns into disgrace—and disgrace results in silence.
6. “I consider in collaboration” vs. “I don’t belief others with my concepts.”
You need enter, however really feel threatened by it. This rigidity retains you remoted, whilst you lengthy for connection.
7. “I apply mindfulness” vs. “I push myself till I crash.”
You educate stability however dwell exhaustion. (I’ve accomplished this one far too many instances.)
Easy methods to Work with the Yips, Not In opposition to Them
Right here’s what I’ve discovered after a lifetime of residing with this sample: You don’t conquer the yips by making an attempt tougher. You heal them by listening deeper.
Which means assembly the concern—not with power, however with care.
Right here’s how I start once more, each time:
1. Lead with compassion.
That a part of you that’s scared? It’s additionally the half that loves what you’re doing. Be mild. Communicate kindly to your self.
2. Settle for the physique’s message.
Trembling palms, dry mouth, racing ideas—these are simply indicators that you just care. Breathe by means of them. Don’t resist them. Allow them to move like climate.
3. Reframe the story.
Not: “I choked.”
However: “I hit a progress edge.” Or: “I’m studying to remain current when it issues.” That shift issues.
4. Discover reciprocal environments.
Play for dancers. Share writing with pals. Educate in areas the place folks replicate, nod, giggle, reply. It’s exhausting to heal in entrance of a wall of silence.
5. Concentrate on presence, not perfection.
Once I play fiddle now, I don’t goal to impress. I goal to attach. That intention rewires every thing.
6. Return to pleasure.
What first drew you to your work? The sound? The rhythm? The curiosity? The spark? Return there. That’s the place your actual voice lives.
A Life Past the Yips
As of late, I nonetheless really feel the yips. Generally after I educate. Generally after I carry out. Generally after I write one thing that issues to me.
However now, I acknowledge them for what they’re: a sign that I’m doing one thing weak and actual.
When you’re an artist, musician, instructor, maker—and also you’ve gotten caught—you’re not alone. And also you’re not damaged.
You’re merely standing on the fringe of the hole between who you had been and who you’re changing into.
The work is to remain within the room. Gently. Bravely. Repeatedly.
And little by little, you’ll discover your method again—to not the place you began, however to one thing deeper.
To a self that trusts its voice once more. To a physique that remembers the best way to transfer. To a pleasure that doesn’t depend upon perfection.
To the quiet reality that you just had been by no means actually misplaced in any respect.

About Tony Collins
Tony Collins, EdD, MFA is a documentary filmmaker, instructor, musician, author, and advisor with forty years of expertise. His work explores artistic expression, scholarly rigor, and nonfiction storytelling throughout the USA, Central America, Asia, and the UAE. In 2025, he’s self-publishing Inventive Scholarship: Rethinking Analysis in Movie and New Media on Amazon, difficult conventional educational evaluation in movie and new media. Web site: anthonycollinsfilm.com