6 ways being anxious rewards comedians

You won't believe the third one, said a post that really wants you to click on it

Feb 02, 2025

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As a comedian who is also highly anxious, I have learned, instead of fearing my anxiety all the time (don’t worry, I still do that, plenty) that I can lean into it and embrace it as kind of a super power. I have no other choice. If I don’t, it will consume me. And I am sure I taste fine, but not, like, great. Ughh. Just one more thing to be anxious about. THANKS, BRAIN.

Here are some ways that anxiety can actually HELP comedians rock the stage.

Anxiety heightens awareness
Anxiety is one of those special sauces in a comedian’s arsenal that makes us hyper-aware of our surroundings. It allows us to notice small, odd and interesting details that others might skip altogether, which is perfect for when we are straying from the setlist or when a heckler decides OH WOW HE’S ALSO ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A COMEDIAN AND NOW IS HIS TIME TO SHINE. It’s jet fuel that helps us turn all the way on.

Your favorite comedians are anxious, and they did fine
Some of our favorite inspirations in comedy talk about their anxiety on stage and it’s pure comedy gold. Gary Gulman’s The Great Depresh, John Mulaney’s neurotic style, Maria Bamford’s hilarious mental health deep dives, Taylor Tomlinson and all the dead mom jokes… it’s a long list. If you’re not sure you can turn your anxiety into comedy, give it a try. The worst that can probably happen is that it will give you anxiety.

Anxiety can create high energy on stage
Look at Robin Williams’ super high energy theatrics on stage. That was fueled not only by cocaine, but also by an anxious energy paired with his depression. (He referred to it as a “black dog” that followed him around. I dunno. Sounds kind of nice to me, but you know the thing about one man’s trash and all that.)

All images — Like most great origin stories, Robin Williams could not find work as an actor, after attending Juilliard, no less (What is college even for!?). He went home and attended a comedy workshop in a church, which was his a-ha-ha-ha-ha moment.

Helps create relatability/likability
Audiences love when people spill their own tea a little bit (I love that expression). When people hear comedians tell on themselves a little, it builds a trust and an understanding between a comedian and the audience, and then they can laugh together. This is something I spent a long time working on. It’s why it’s harder for me to sometimes make people laugh in one-on-one situations—I don’t trust them to laugh, and they can feel my apprehension, and then they don’t trust me to make them laugh, but in a group, I lose that need to please/trust crave, and can just be myself. Don’t ask me why it works, but it does.

Improves joke writing skills
Anxious, overthink-y type people get meticulous about the wording of jokes, and the little details, which makes for better joke writing, smarter punchlines and funnier all around material. The need to constantly second guess ourselves leads to working hard to make sure it’s as good as it can be.

Makes you overall stronger, and a little less fearful
Stand-up is a battle against fear, in a sense—fear of bombing, fear of forgetting, fear of the crowd turning against you, fear of not being good enough, not getting far enough, being a hack or having other comedians look down on you, the list goes on and on. Those of us who can harness the anxiety and push through it to have strong sets and find ways to feel good on stage will come out of it a little bit tougher and more confident, on and off stage.

Alright, there are at least 6 good reasons that anxiety can help comedians be better on stage. Did I miss any?