What I Learned During 2020 & Exciting Announcement!

Saying 2020 has been a challenging year would be an understatement, I'm sure many people would agree. Not only was there the heaviness of what is going on in the world but, for many of us, this year challenged us in personal ways that put the difficulty level of this year through the roof. For me, one of the most challenging things about this year was the transition to primarily online schooling. Music Education is not a major that easily transfers over to online courses. I am so appreciative of all my music professors who made the most of this severely overwhelming situation and transition. Headaches became a regular thing, singing to a computer screen got tiring very quickly, and technical difficulties occurred almost daily! On top of everything, this semester made me tired ALL THE TIME. If I'm being honest, there is something quite lonely about learning to teach to a computer screen instead of teaching to a room full of students. This may be a depressing way to start this blog post, but this is the truth about what music education looks like when moved to primarily online classes. However, while this year was full of trials, there were so many things that this year taught me. I would like to share a few of the biggest things I learned during this semester:

1. The first thing this year has taught me is that TEACHING IS HARD!! This was something that I already knew but was reminded of abundantly during this semester. Many parents have also learned this hard truth because of their children being sent home for the remainder of the school year in the spring. It has made me more determined to work towards becoming the best music teacher that I can be. This has also given me more respect for other teachers who teach a different school subject. Teachers are superheroes. Period.

2. The second thing is that positive human interaction, no matter how long the interaction may be, is vital to living a healthy life! Although this year has kept me from being with a lot of people, it has taught me to be grateful for the people who I do get to see. The small interactions that I constantly took for granted about a year ago now mean SO MUCH to me!

3. The third lesson is to TAKE A BREATH! Life is busy and hectic and unpredictable and stressful and… sometimes the most important thing in the world that you can do for yourself is to give yourself a moment to take a breath. Meditate, go on a walk, take a bath, or do whatever it takes to momentarily pull yourself away from the chaos of life.

4. The fourth thing is perhaps the most important thing that I have learned as a music student this year. Although this is something very different than what I'm used to, I did find myself performing to my computer and phone screen quite a bit. The biggest thing that I have learned through all of the digital performances is that music comes from inside of you. Performing to a screen instead of a live audience can feel a bit awkward. If you allow the awkwardness of performing to your computer to overcome you it can hide your musicianship and your passion for music. However, if you focus on pulling out the music that is within you rather than the detachment from your audience, you can still allow your musicianship to shine through despite the awkwardness. I believe that the realization of my inward musician is something that will stick with me and will allow me to perform at a new level once I can perform to a live, in-person audience again!

It has been a challenging year, but it is the challenges in life that allow us to truly grow.

Now, I have a very special announcement that I am EXTREMELY excited to share… My mom and I started a home décor business!!!!! While music has always been my biggest passion, interior design and home decor have always been a close second. My mom and I both love being creative, artistic, and innovative. We are so excited to share this passion with all of you! We are in the very beginning stages of starting up the business but are working hard towards growth and are LOVING it so far! Check us out on Instagram @inspired_home_creations. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter at Inspired Home Creations. We have begun selling products and are getting ready for some very exciting giveaways!

So… that's a wrap on 2020! I hope that no matter what challenges have consumed your life this year that you have seen the difficulties as an opportunity to learn and grow! Here's to 2021! May it be a year of more unity, growth, and love.

Until the New Year!

-Lindsey