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Acting Quote by Hugh Laurie

“I feel when acting, I am sometimes overly self-conscious; I think, 'Going, no, don't, put your eyebrow back where it was and, you know, turn to the left.' You know, I'm sort of very consciously adopting this character. But with music, I don't know. I found it was a question of just closing my eyes…” quote by Hugh Laurie
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“I feel when acting, I am sometimes overly self-conscious; I think, 'Going, no, don't, put your eyebrow back where it was and, you know, turn to the left.' You know, I'm sort of very consciously adopting this character. But with music, I don't know. I found it was a question of just closing my eyes and just sort of letting things come out.”

Hugh Laurie

About This Quote

Source Interview: The Graham Norton Show, 2015

The speaker describes how overthinking hinders performance, but closing eyes and trusting intuition eases expression, especially in music.

In simple terms: Overthinking blocks creativity; trusting instinct helps.

Key Takeaway

Trust your instincts, let go of self‑consciousness.

Themes

creativity performance mindfulness self‑awareness

Mood

reflective introspective calm

Type

advice personal insight artistic expression

When to use this quote

  • stage acting
  • musical improvisation
  • public speaking
  • teaching
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

flow state intuition embodiment

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you practice letting go in high‑pressure moments?
  • What routines help you enter a flow state?
A Different Perspective

Too much self‑monitoring can cause anxiety and reduce authenticity.

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