I recently had the pleasure of connecting with Julie Morris, who is a life and career coach!
She thrives on helping others live their best lives.
It’s easy for her to relate to clients who feel run over by life because she’s been there. After years in a successful (but unfulfilling) career in finance, Julie busted out of the corner office that had become her prison.
Last year, at 53, Julie started learning how to play guitar. It’s something that she's always wanted to do, but despite constantly telling her clients not to get in their own way, she'd been getting in her's for years.
Telling herself that she was too old to learn an instrument and that she'd be terrible at it anyway.
How many times do we get caught up in our negative "self-talk". It's so easy to do and so easily becomes a habit. Don't worry! You're not alone!
You can overcome that negative self-talk, just like Julie did!
You CAN grow and make more time for yourself to be the healthiest you. Sometimes we just need a little support and encouragement.
Julie has begun taking guitar lessons! She's found that while it takes a good bit of practice for her to learn guitar, with each new chord learned she feels a sense of achievement.
When I read the opening lines of her website, they really connected with me....
"Which three words best describe YOU?
Stressed. Stuck. Existing.
OR
Happy. Fulfilled. Thriving.
Every day we hand over hours, minutes, and seconds of our lives to work, social media, other people, and a seemingly endless to do list of tasks and responsibilities. Sometimes those ticks on the clock turn into time well spent, but often we end the day feeling lost and depleted.
I’m here to help you take back those lost moments.
No, I can’t fix every problem in your life. And no, I can’t promise that you’ll never feel stressed or stuck or anxious ever again. But through one-on-one sessions, we’ll focus on YOU and what YOU need–be it a new career, more fulfilling relationships, or simply a better organized work and home life.
It’s time to Seize. Your. Days."
WOAH!
THIS is what I have been preaching ...ahem... sharing in my parent support group lately!
I have personally found it SO hard to balance all my responsibilities of being a mom, wife, music therapist, business owner, and let's not forget just being ME...
It's easy to get lost in all those other titles. When we lose ourselves amidst our responsibilities we tend to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and frankly...just not our best self.
I may be a bit partial, but MUSIC can be a fantastic outlet for you to "regain some of yourself".
That may look like being a concert attendee at 5 Points Music Sanctuary or maybe the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.
Or maybe...
It's time to return to some music lessons and make a little more "me time" for your health and sanity!
Check out Julie's expert advice below and see how you can make some more time for yourself to be a healthier YOU!
Oh, how we crave time for ourselves!
Yet, when we finally do get some free time, we find it’s not the respite we were expecting.
With today’s glorification of being “busy-busy,” we’re not always comfortable admitting we don’t know what to do with our free time. Declaring we’re bored is often met with snide remarks from work-frazzled friends.
The truth is that many working people find themselves feeling a little “lost” on their days off. There’s only so much TV you can watch, video games you can play, and social media sites to visit. You’d love to have a hobby, but hobbies are expensive, right?
In reality, unless your heart is set on taking up yachting or polo, there are plenty of fun budget-friendly hobbies.
Here are a few activities that people of any age can learn online or with a group of friends:
Pick Up a Sport
Whether you played every sport imaginable as a child or you’re someone who has never picked up a Frisbee, picking up a sport has a long list of benefits. If team sports appeal to you, Google options in your area for adult leagues. Other fun sports that offer social perks are playing tennis or taking up golf.
If solo sports are more your thing, check out pools near you and get swimming. Walking and hiking are other great options. You don’t have to drop a lot of money to walk, but you may drop some pounds! Think of sports as a way to play, and just have fun.
Whatever you choose, if new sports equipment is needed, you can easily keep costs down by using online promo codes, coupons, or cash back opportunities. For example, Dick's Sporting Goods offers 1.5 percent cash back as well as online coupons.
Learn How to Play a Musical Instrument
Studies have proven that learning to play an instrument is one of the most effective ways to improve your cognitive abilities.
Thanks to the internet, you can find all kinds of free online courses for learning how to play everything from the piano to the guitar.
In fact, guitars are one of the best instruments to learn online, as they’re fairly inexpensive, perfectly portable, and they’re great stress relievers. If you’re looking for something even easier and more budget-friendly, the Irish tin whistle is a brilliant pick.
Most importantly, choose an instrument from a musical genre you’ve always loved.
Scour the internet for discounts and promo codes through sites like RetailMeNot, borrow or rent an instrument before you buy, and don’t hesitate to purchase an instrument that’s used from a local shop.
If private music lessons are out of your budget consider group lessons. (CHECK OUT OUR SPECIAL OFFER BELOW)
Explore the World of Arts and Crafts
When it comes to arts and crafts, the possibilities are endless. What strikes your fancy?
Have you always wanted to paint, or would you rather learn how to knit, create art from found objects, sculpt, sew, or make soap?
Whatever you’re interested in, check it out on YouTube before you invest your time and money on classes.
On your next day off, take a trip to a store like Hobby Lobby. These stores often offer weekly sales on supplies as well as classes.
Get up and Dance!
If you’ve ever had a hankering to learn swing dancing, salsa, or the lindy hop, entire communities are built around those who enjoy these dance forms.
You can learn them online or check out classes in your area (look for discounts to help keep costs low). While any time spent in your local dance studio could be enormously rewarding and a great way to connect with people, it’s only one option in the world of dance.
Dancing as a hobby can be as simple as turning on iTunes and jumping around in the privacy of your own home!
As Shaquille O’Neal says,
“Excellence is not a singular act but a habit.
You are what you do repeatedly.”
So what will it be?
Is it finally time you learn how to play the ukulele or run your first half-marathon?
Explore what makes your heart sing, from bird watching to volunteering for an organization that’s important to you, and say goodbye to boredom forever.
Say hello to a healthier YOU!
If you're interested in learning an instrument or returning back to lessons as an adult,
reach out to us today for a FREE trial lesson!
We offer lessons to children through adults, and move at your pace.
Since we're trained musicians AND therapists, we have the tools to support you no matter what level you're at.
If you're ready to learn piano, guitar, singing, or trumpet we're ready to help you!
Contact us below to set up a quick consultation call
