‘When the lights are out, I cry’: Neha Dhupia opens up about experiencing anxiety when she’s out of work; expert on how it impacts mental health | Workplace News

Periods of professional uncertainty can be emotionally draining, especially in careers where work is irregular, visibility is public, and success is unpredictable. For many people, not working doesn’t just mean financial stress; it often brings self-doubt, anxiety, and a quiet fear of being left behind while others seem to move forward. Actor Neha Dhupia recently spoke candidly about this emotional toll, despite having spent over two decades in the film industry. In an interaction with Bollywood Hungama, she reflected on how good work does not always translate into more opportunities and how long gaps between projects can have a profoundly negative impact on mental health. “I do get anxiety when I’m not working,” she admitted.
Neha went on to describe the private weight of these moments: “Even after 20 years in the industry, when the lights are out, I do put my head into a pillow and cry. I did it three days ago.” 
She also addressed the common advice to develop emotional toughness in competitive environments. “It gets very tough. It is advocated to be thick-skinned, but everything matters,” she said. “The part that matters the most is that when you are not working, everybody around you is working. You see life pass .” 
Neha shared that extended dry spells can be exhausting, even when one stays professionally active in other ways. “I get so tired when there is no acting jobs for 3-4 years but the grace of God, I am never out of work because I do so many things. It is an exhausting but rewarding business.” She also spoke about the uncertainty of whether work leads to more work, saying, “The conversion has to be there. If my work in the latest two shows doesn’t convert into anything then there is no point. Does work lead to good work? I don’t know, sometimes…”
Why does being out of work trigger anxiety, grief, or feelings of failure?
Gurleen Baruah, organisational psycholog at That Culture Thing, tells , “Many high-functioning and successful people unconsciously tie their sense of worth to productivity, visibility, and momentum. Over time, work becomes more than a role; it becomes identity. When work pauses, even briefly, it can feel like a loss of self rather than just a gap in employment. This can activate imposter syndrome, exential dread, and a fear of being “found out” or left behind.” 
Emotional resilience doesn’t come from pretending fear isn’t there. (Source: Freepik)
She adds that success doesn’t protect people from this; in fact, it can deepen the fear because there is more to lose. The silence after constant validation can feel loud, personal, and destabilising, even when the break is situational and not a reflection of ability.
How constant comparison with peers affects mental health during career gaps
“Comparison during career gaps is deeply painful and very human,” admits Baruah, adding that we often compare our lowest moments with others’ most curated highlights, especially on social media. This pulls attention away from the self and feeds jealousy, shame, and the inner critic. Story continues below this ad
Over time, she says, it can erode confidence and create a sense of being “less than.” Helpful strategies start with awareness, like noticing when comparison spirals, catching it when it’s happening. Turning attention inward through grounding practices, journaling, therapy, or simply acknowledging one’s own strengths and values can be helpful too.
Building emotional resilience without suppressing feelings 
Emotional resilience doesn’t come from pretending fear isn’t there. It begins acknowledging how hard uncertainty really is, especially when responsibilities like family or finances are involved. 
“Resilience grows through self-focus rather than self-pressure — working on skills, strengths, and growth without self-punishment. A growth mindset helps, where setbacks are seen as information, not verdicts. Staying connected to people who see you beyond your output is crucial,” mentions Baruah.