This podcast came out of the reason I didn't release an episode last week. The episodes I'd drafted didn't feel right or ready.

Which led me down the rabbit hole of - how often do we rush our art? Or put things out into the world early for validation instead of trusting ourselves enough to know when its whole?

And is the world of social media and feeling as though everyone's eyes are on you, adding an invisible pressure that makes us feel like we need to be constantly "producing"?

What does being result orientated vs creatively curious do to the quality of our art and how we feel about it?

How do you treat your relationship with Creativity?

Do you keep in touch, give her your undivided attention and love her whether she "puts out" or not?

Or do you smother her with expectation and then ignore her for months at a time?

Creativity is one of the most important relationships in your life and demands that you treat her as such.

Today's episode explores one way I like to woo her myself.

Today I get really honest about a dream I shrank to the size of a pea just to make myself feel more comfortable in the hope that you won't follow suit.

This episode is all about big dreams and why they need to be protected and moved towards.

If you want to listen to my song Molasses you can do that here: https://ampl.ink/WO1Ek And my second song Part Lost Part Found lives here: https://ampl.ink/gzNk0

I know, it's not an easy (or sexy) sell. You might want to roll your eyes or have PTSD flashbacks to those two times you tried to meditate and failed abysmally, but please hear me out.

Making space and embracing the skin crawling discomfort of spending time in silence is CRUCIAL if you want to make art (and stay sane for that matter) - let me tell you why.

Are you being ruled by the "should's", the obligations and the "what if's" other people throw at you?

Keeping yourself small and hiding out of fear of what someone else will say or think about it?

Are you trying desperately to be a good person while keeping your head above water?

Well I hope this is the sigh of relief you've been waiting for. Permission to use that two letter word you've been avoiding.

NO.

Info about my Much Less Tortured Artist coaching program lives here: https://inspiredtosing.com/much-less-tortured-artist

The book I mention is Essentialism by Greg McKeown: https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=essentialism&qid=1563064856&s=gateway&sr=8-1

This episode is for those of you who identify as perfectionists or are plagued with the notion of "I'll never be good enough".

Whether you currently wear your perfectionism as a badge of honour or are frustrated that it keeps you small and stuck, this episode will bring you even more clarity.

Read as a chapter from my book The Moderately Tortured Artist, it'll dive deep on this topic and give you ideas on ways through the challenge that is extremely high (often impossible) standards.

You can grab a copy of the book here: https://www.moderatelytorturedartist.com

Or find out about my Much Less Tortured Artist coaching program here: https://inspiredtosing.com/much-less-tortured-artist

Discomfort is a pretty hard sell, I know, but hear me out. In order to do anything creative, stretch yourself in any way or grow as a person, you're going to have to embrace it.

And many of us feel uncomfortable or like we're "wasting our lives" if we stay in our own cozy little bubble anyway, so wouldn't you prefer to have something to show for it?

Today's episode is all about reaching your potential and adding vibrancy back into your life by making discomfort an easier pill to swallow.

Life as a musician unfortunately isn't all sunshine, rainbows, awards and opportunities. Bad stuff happens. Negative emotions run rampant.

(I wish they didn't and that I could wrap you in cotton wool and glitter but I'm afraid it wouldn't help)

But one thought, one idea most of us seem to latch onto can 10X the problem, making us feel even worse.

In this episode we talk about how to get through difficult emotions without force and shame.

Our society praises discipline, hard work and hustle and makes damn sure artists know that they have to work doubly as hard to even have a chance of "making it".

But couldn't we come at it from a different angle? One that still has us showing up, dedicating our time and our focus to our craft but perhaps feeling different?

And not only in our music, but in our lives?

If you'd like to read more about The Much Less Tortured Artist coaching program head this way: https://inspiredtosing.com/much-less-tortured-artist

"It's the destination not the journey" is a quote you've probably seen roaming Instagram but you may not have asked yourself how it applies to your music practice.

Too many of us are muscling our way through practice sessions we SHOULD be doing rather than asking how we can SAVOUR them, let them nourish us in beautiful ways and SLOW DOWN.

Most of us are leading full, busy lives, but why can't our music be something that we relax into rather than rushing through? And if you did make this shift, how would it change how you play?

Can improvement exist in a space of calm and slowness? What are we sacrificing in the name of rushing and muscling through it? Would we in fact get more joy and progress out of a more intentional and deliberate practice?