Imagine this: You are stuck, really bogged down, not making progress, or so you feel…you are just STUCK! The audition cycle can really feel like that. You are working so hard on all of your pieces, but you are feeling so tired. Sound familiar?
During an audition or audition season, the last thing on our minds is making time for us. And yet my friend, my fellow musician, it is EXACTLY THE THING WE NEED.
Being busy is part of the audition process, but what if we could make time for us throughout this process? That’s exactly what we are going to dive into today.
Multi-tasking? Listen to the podcast episode!
Step 1: Understand that your body NEEDS rest
If you do not understand or believe that your body needs rest, then how are you actively going to make time for you and rest? You need to believe that not only does your body need rest, but you deserve rest.
Rest comes in many different forms. The most obvious one being sleeping. But there are other ways to rest. Here are some examples:
- Hobbies – If your brain has just focused on getting passages perfect all day long, then doing something creative where mistakes are perfectly fine is such a good form of rest.
- Going for a walk outside – If all you have done is been stuck in a practice room, then getting some movement outside is a great form of rest.
- Hanging out with friends – If all you have done is just practiced, and not had much social interaction, then maybe that is exactly what you need.
What type of rest would be the most beneficial for you? Write it in the comments below.
Step 2: Setting musical boundaries
We’ve all heard of boundaries — maybe with people, but have you ever thought about setting boundaries with yourself?
For instance: I will practice throughout the day, but once it hits 7pm, I am done and doing a hobby.
That is a hard and fast boundary that makes it so that you have to give yourself time to rest.
Another one could be: When I am resting, I will not think about practicing.
This one is definitely harder because it is so easy to let guilt creep in. And we can combat that through phrases.
For example, “This is my moment,” “I am resting,” “I want peace,” and “I deserve this.” What is something you could say?
As I have used these phrases when I get guilty thoughts, it has helped to make those thoughts calm down. I still struggle with it of course, but it is better.
You know, as I have struggled and worked through audition seasons, I have tested out and collected strategies for all aspects of the auditioning process to go in a special guide book just for you.
Step 3: Schedule your break time
Just schedule it. For instance:
- In the morning after breakfast, but before I start working on things, I will devout 15 minutes to this hobby that I enjoy
- During my lunch, I will read this book I enjoy
- At 7pm when I finish my practicing, I will put on a TV show and do some baking
Just write it down and plan when you will rest. Because you will look forward to it, and that will help you stick to it.
I remember last summer when I was doing this. I worked all day, and then practiced all evening, and at 8pm, I would sit and watch Netflix and crochet. And that was a scheduled date. It was not negotiable, because I knew that if I didn’t do this, I would end up feeling really poor and bad the next day, and I wouldn’t be able to focus or give my all on all of the things I needed to do the next day.
Get creative, you got this! You are reclaiming that time for yourself. That is worth celebrating!
If you have an audition coming up. I wish you all the best, and hope you enjoy it.
All my best,
Eleanor
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