Singing for yourself.

We know that singing is good for us.

-There is research that tells us singing releases endorphins, serotonin and dopamine; the stuff that lifts our mood.

-It’s good for our lungs! It causes us to breathe more deeply.

-When I was suffering from Lyme, it was one of the few things that helped me with my painful symptoms.

So yeah, singing has a lot of benefits.

There are a number of reasons why we might do it.

How about the “who”?

As singers we assume that it will be for others. We are doing it with the intention of sharing our voices with other people.

Nothing wrong with that! It’s a beautiful thing. It’s a generous act. It blesses others.

But maybe this isn’t always the case.

Maybe you are already clear that singing is just for you and no one else.

Or maybe you used to share your voice regularly.

And maybe you are now in a period of your life where you don’t feel like sharing it with anyone and you feel conflicted about that choice.

Singing is a form of communication; of expressing.

It can be performative.

It can be healing.

It can be self care.

It can be whatever you want it to be.

I went through a period of time where I took a break from singing. (It was after my Dad died.) And then when I was ready to use my voice, to sing again, I needed time. I needed time to have it be just for me. 

At the time, I think I felt pressure to be out there again sharing it when what I really needed was permission to be in the cocoon for a bit until I was ready again. (And then I got a BIG sign that I will share in a future blog. More on that soon.)

Ask yourself: Is this something I really want to share with others right now, or do I keep this for myself until I feel differently?

Additional questions to ask yourself:

What is my purpose in singing in this moment? Performative? Self care? Creative act? Healing act? A way to grow? Challenge? A way to express yourself?

What will bring me the most peace right now?

Am I putting any kind of pressure on myself for it to be other than what my clear intention is?

Singing can be communal. It can be shared. And it can be private.

And having this practice be private is just as valid and important as it being shared. 

This can be powerful.

Getting clear on how you want it to serve you is vital.

Giving yourself space and time to be with whatever answers you arrive at is a generous act for yourself. 

And of course it’s all subject to change. You might feel differently tomorrow, or next month, or next year, or never.

It’s YOUR call.