While we are living In this fast paced society I want to remind you to stop and celebrate. Celebrate the musician that you have become.. When working as a musician we can easily forget we are loved, appreciated and needed. In the midst of the grit of music, it's important to take a moment, a few hours, or a day to celebrate how far you have come and what you have yet to conquer.
"We find fuel for the present moment when we actively choose to celebrate the past and focus on the good"
~Jon Vroman
What we focus on expands; if we focus on the negative that expands, the result is depletion. When we focus on the positive it's like a B12 shot, it energizes us we then can use that energy in our music. It amplifies our appreciation of what we are doing and forces us to reconnect with your why. Celebrating reminds you WHY you are a musician, WHY you are doing what you're doing. Having a celebratory mindset gives you the ability to inspire others around you. How great is that?!
Think about how you feel when you're at a celebration, you're feeding off of others energy, you're amped it up. but at the same time, you can relax and let your inhibitions fall away. This same response happens when musicians celebrates. Before your next performance try not to dwell negatively on the trials and tribulations you went through; celebrate them! Get excited about overcoming them and relish that feeling and take it with you into the performance.
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”
- Oprah
Why celebrate? Did you know celebrating is important to our mental health? Celebrating helps get us out of a funk, it causes us to release good endorphins that make us feel good.
Celebrating reminds us what we are capable of and brings your musical possibilities to the forefront. It can also protect us from burnout. One very important aspect of celebrating yourself as a musician is it replenishes and builds healthy self-confidence. I must add: please remember just because others aren't celebrating you doesn't mean you can't still celebrate. If it’s important to you then it's important enough to celebrate.
Now that you know WHY we should celebrate, read my suggestions on HOW to celebrate.
Record it: Did you just master this piece? Hit that “Mariah Carey” high note? Record it! whether you share it or not is up to you. Having it as a reminder of how awesome you can be is a great way to celebrate.
Go Nuts: Jump up and down (without your instrument) laugh out loud, yell, or cry. Whatever makes you feel good.
Picture it: Take picture of this moment put it in your case and bring with it. Or create a small space on your wall or computer to keep all your “celebration pics”
Brag: Share your accomplishment with people who would love to know. Parents, Grandparents, siblings, friends, teachers, pets (they're great listeners) and fellow musicians. Enjoy the praise and compliments from them, It makes the moment so much sweeter.
Share: offering your new found skill is another way of celebrating yourself. Help out another musician who can benefit from what you learned, while the experience is still fresh.
Go Out: take yourself or go out with friends. Whatever you decide, be sure to Eat Drink and Be Merry.
Relax: You have been working intensely take a moment to breathe. You should give your body a break, maybe get a massage. You can definitely celebrate yourself quietly as long as you celebrate.
Remember celebrating is not narcissistic or selfish it's necessary. Celebration helps us stay in the present and truly make a memorable moment, and inspires others to do the same.
How do you celebrate personal success? Share your latest accomplishment in the comments section!
I am so grateful for your continued support!
Your Happy Musician
