Haunted by the Past?
Spooky season is upon us, which means making time for carving pumpkins, picking out Halloween costumes and preparing for some spooky, scary fun! But sometimes the scariest ghosts aren't the ones that come out on Halloween. There's one kind of haunting we could all do without: the doubts, past mistakes, and hurtful comments about our singing that continue to linger long after they've been said. Let's learn how we can ghost-bust these ideas right from our heads and move forward confidently and freely!
Recognize the ghost. When negative thoughts creep in, remind yourself that a thought isn't a fact. Let it come and go like a wave on the ocean. Someone else's comment doesn't define your potential. A mistake you made once (or even a few times!) doesn't mean you can't get it right.
Rewrite the story. Instead of telling yourself "I can't" or "I'm not a good singer," try, "I'm learning, growing, and discovering what my voice can do." You don't have to be perfect to begin. Like Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right."
Give yourself permission to sing. You don't need anyone's approval to enjoy music. Sing because it brings you joy, because you want to learn, or simply because it's something you've always wanted to do. Don't judge yourself, either. Find freedom in simply doing.
The tricky thing about these ghosts is that they really can disguise themselves as facts. A passing comment from years ago can start to feel like proof that we aren't talented, and one embarrassing experience can overshadow all the moments we've actually enjoyed singing. We may even start comparing ourselves to others, forgetting that every singer has a different sound and journey. Sometimes, breaking free begins with questioning whether the story we've been telling ourselves about our voice is really the whole story.
Learning to do ANYTHING new takes courage. When it comes to singing, it takes even more courage when you've been made to feel that your voice isn't worth hearing. But you deserve the chance to discover what you're capable of without letting old words hold you back. 🧡
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