Sing for You (Not Them)

 

For so many singers, the path is paved with pressure.

 

Pressure to sound good.

 


To prove something.

 


To please someone.

 


To be “marketable.”

 


To be good enough, polished enough, sparkly-eyed enough to survive the American Idol of your own inner critic.

 

But what if it didn’t have to be that way?

 

What if the journey of a singer could be... pleasant?

 

Yes — pleasant.

 

Joyful. Gentle. Sometimes a little weird (in a fun way).

 


Rooted in curiosity instead of critique.

 


Less about chasing gold stars and more about feeling like a glowing human with a voice and a heartbeat.

 

What if singing could be a source of relief instead of stress?

 

What if your practice room felt less like a scene from Whiplash and more like a cozy blanket fort where you get to make weird noises and call it art?

 

Too far? Maybe. But not really.

 

Do It for You (Seriously.)

 

A few years ago, I wrote about how I came across an interview with Natalie Portman. She said that while filming Black Swan, her director, Darren Aronofsky, told her during a take:

 


“This one. Do this one for yourself.”

 

Pause and take that in.

 


Not for the critics.

 


Not for the audience.

 


Not for Darren Freaking Aronofsky.

 

For her.

 

She said that moment pulled her out of performance mode and back into her body. She became the subject of her creation, not the object.

 

It’s like being told, “Hey, maybe don’t contort yourself into a pretzel of perfectionism this time. 

 

Maybe just… enjoy it?”

 

Wild.

 

But Isn’t That... Selfish?

 

Yes. Wonderfully so.

 

But not in a “take the last piece of cake without asking” kind of way.

 


In a “put your own oxygen mask on before singing the high C” kind of way.

 

Because here's the thing:

 


When you take care of your joy, your joy takes care of your voice.

 


And your voice — your real voice — is what the world actually wants.

 


Not the one trying to sound like someone else. Not the one chasing approval. The you one.

 

Radical Joy (and Occasional Silliness): Why does this feel so hard?

 

Because many of us were trained — either formally or by life — to equate suffering with success.

 

“If it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t count.”

 


“If it isn’t hard, it isn’t real.”

 


“If you enjoy it too much, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

 

You know. That totally sustainable inner narrative.

 

But what if you’re allowed to like what you’re doing? What if joy is not a sign you’ve lost your edge but that you’ve found your center?

 

What if the very best version of your singing — the most compelling, alive, and generous — happens not when you're gripping for control but when you’re… actually having a good time?

 

(Gasp.)

 

Try this at home!

 

Next time you sing, try this:

 

Sing one phrase just for you.

 

No imaginary judges. No ghost of your old choir director hovering near the piano.
 Just you, your breath, your voice, and the tiniest bit of playful rebellion.

 

Ask:

 


How does this feel in my body?

 


Would I sing this differently if no one were listening?

 


What if I let it be… easy?

 

Bonus points if you end up smiling mid-phrase. That means it’s working.

 

Joy is not a distraction.

 

Joy is not a detour from your “real” artistic growth.




It is the real growth.

 

It’s the soil that allows your voice to bloom.

 


It’s the compass that helps you find your next song, your next choice, your next version of yourself.

 

And no — it doesn’t mean you’ll never be challenged or stretched.

 


It just means you don’t have to treat singing like a never-ending emotional triathlon.

 


You’re allowed to rest.


You’re allowed to enjoy.


You’re allowed to have a pleasant time.

 

Ready to Reconnect?

 

If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your voice, out of rhythm with your practice, or just ready to feel good about singing again — I’ve got something for you.

 

✨ The Vocal Reconnect Mini Course ✨




→ Where Singers Return to Their Voice.

 

This 7-day self-paced journey is designed to gently jumpstart your singing practice — especially if you’ve been away for a while or just need a reset.

 


Simple. Supportive. Grounding.

 


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Come back to yourself.
 Come back to joy. 
Come back to your voice.

 

Your joy matters.


Your voice matters.


You matter.

 

And maybe — just maybe — you don’t have to earn your place in music through suffering.

 

Maybe you belong here… simply because you love it.