Over these last few weeks, I have been trying to find my footing in this new reality. It has meant some interesting changes for me personally. For example, I have been spending less time on social media. I have sat and watched the sunset pretty much every evening for the last two weeks. I have been sketching, a tool that I use to slow down my thoughts so I can work through them more easily. I rarely care what time it is and there’s only a few moments (private lessons and office hours for my college classes) where it matters for me. I haven’t done work in a coffee shop in over a month. With the anxiety and stress at an all-time high, I’m acutely aware of the mental energy I have to give and what I can handle and still function.
I have also been looking for positive things to consume artistically - whether that’s nature (the plants in my neighborhood are blooming right now), music (I have been listening to entire albums again, which I love to do but rarely have the time), or a podcast, I have been consciously feeding my soul with healthy things that help me process, progress, and thrive despite all of this uncertainty.
I wanted to share with you four podcasts that have impacted me positively and helped me in some significant way during this time. I sincerely hope something here helps you as well. And if you have something similar that has helped you or that you believe will help others, please share in the Brave Musician Facebook group.
Monica’s List of Inspirational and Motivational Podcasts
Jacob Collier on How to Stay Creative During Self-Quarantine (This Must Be the Gig podcast - Jacob is one of my favorite musicians and this is simply wonderful, full of heart, gems, and inspiration.)
Lori Gottlieb ON: How to Deal with Difficult Emotions During Tough Times to Support Your Family & Friends Effectively (On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast)
High Performers… Off And On The Ice. (31 Thoughts Podcast - my favorite hockey podcast, but the first segment is with high-performance psychologist, Michael Gervais, who joins the show to discuss mental fitness and coping with these challenging times.)
Now’s The Time: Conversations on progress and uncertainty. (Brave Musician panel discussion - available on the podcast or Youtube. Being a part of this discussion and talking with these three amazing humans was very special, which is why I had to include it on the list.)