I found myself with time last week. I had five days off from my nursing job and had intended to drive to Cochin where our cabin is north of Saskatoon. I sat with myself and realized that the energy it would take to drive etc was more then I had. I decided that I wanted to stay home, get myself more organized and rest. I had loved being at the lake the week before and I realized it wasn’t what I needed this time. When I was at the lake, I had these crazy thoughts going through my mind that I should quit music. What! Okay my mind wasn’t telling me the truth. I was over tired, perhaps on the brink of burn out. I have been performing a lot and have also been traveling and working. I had also told myself that I hadn’t been doing that much. Another untruth. So I listened to my inner wisdom and stayed home, got some much needed home stuff done and some rest and then felt re-energized to get back to some music business.
I have been listening to a couple podcasts by my mentor Bree Noble about how to manage and recognize possible burn out. I am grateful for some good coping strategies that do not include quitting this pursuit of having a music business. Having a music business mentor has certainly helped me have more clarity and direction. This has helped move me from the place of overwhelm. It seems so counter intuitive to take time when there are so many things to do and yet it seems to be the very thing to help get those things done in the long run. Bigger picture. Taking time to plan goals and have an over all plan for the year also helps to keep me focused and have a better idea of where I want to be headed. It takes some of the pressure off. Taking time for what there doesn’t seem to be time for does lighten the load. Along with taking the time for those basics, eating well, sleeping well, exercise and some down time. I seem to be writing myself a reminder list of how to take good care of myself.
When these things are in place there is room for creativity to blossom. This happened unexpectedly on Sunday when I was practicing and found some words and chords to a song I had started, oh there is a song there. So friends I encourage you to take some time to allow creativity to enter your lives in whatever form. It is a gift available to us all.
Go out and take some time for your own creativity.
Yours in music and creativity,
Wanda G.
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