Laugh at yourself—a lot. My mum taught me not to take myself too seriously. At the Golden Globes last year, a waiter dropped a tray of red-wine glasses on my white dress. I realized in the grand scheme of things it was not that bad—I was at the Golden Globes!

There are no stupid questions. For years I was often afraid to speak up when I didn't fully understand a script. I'd tie myself in knots. But I've learned to just ask my stupid questions, like when I was rehearsing a play on Stalinist Russia and had trouble following parts of the story. Doing so has been totally liberating.

The journey matters as much as the destination. By engaging in the moment on set, I've stopped rushing and now find pleasure in the collaborative process—the characters, the costumes—rather than worrying about the finished product.

Cooking can cure almost anything. Whether it's for myself or for friends (I love hosting people for dinner), I find it deeply therapeutic. And it brings out the nurturer in me!

My family keeps me sane. I try to talk to my mum every other day. After I get off the phone, I have a renewed sense of clarity, so I guess a problem shared is a problem lost. It's important to me to keep them close.

What They Know For Sure

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