“I lost my voice.”

I was getting ready for work one morning and decided I wanted to sing one of my favorite songs by Kiera Sheard (Flaws). But I couldn’t get the notes out. I found myself straining to do something that once came so easy to me. Why was this so hard? I love this song and I sing it all the time! Granted I haven’t sang in a while but this sounds HORRIBLE. I became discouraged and decided to just give up. The rest of the day I thought to myself “Oh no! Have I lost my voice?…”

I started to think about the hobbies/activities that I’ve given up over the past year. Singing is one of them. I used to wake up every morning singing. I am sure my neighbors were annoyed by my Jennifer Hudson moments but I couldn’t care less at the time. Not only did I stop singing I neglected to play my guitar, read, make jewelry, be… Shae. I’d given up on the very things that made me who I am. Who does that?!

I find we get so caught up in the lives we built for ourselves that we neglect to spend time doing things that cultivate/nurture our unique identities. You may not sing but your “voice” may be dancing, writing, photography, cooking, coaching, Call of Duty, etc. Just as we are encouraged to set aside time to exercise maintain our physical health, we should be doing the same for our mental health. Doing what makes you YOU, will bring you peace and happiness. Peace and happiness are the antidote for depression, stress and anxiety, Chile! It may be challenging but we all have to do what it that’s to spend time in our “happiness corner”.

Here are some ways I’ve been able to reignite my “voice”:

1. Schedule time. Carve time out in your week to do what you love. If you have a busy schedule like me, one hour will suffice.
2. Cut back on social media and research your passion. I’ve found that I spend more time looking at what everyone else is doing that doing what I want to do. Instead of logging on to Instagram for 15 minutes, research the next book you want to read or recipe you want to try.
3. Just Say No! If you are like me, you are a people pleaser. Sometime I sign up for more than I can take one. Take a step back and see where you can cut back on some commitments. You can accomplish a lot in a day but if none of those things include personal progress, you will lose in the end.
4. Attend a meetup once a month. Meetup.com is a website that lists all the local groups in your area that meet for a common cause/interest. Why go it alone? Find others in your area to keep you motivated!
5. Phone a friend. I have  a friend that texts me every month or so, asking me how I’m doing with my New Year’s resolution. Although, at times, I get slightly irked by them calling out the fact I haven’t done what I said I would, it’s definitely necessary. …Now, you can’t phone your right-brained, “can’t-remember-they’re-own-mother’s-birthday” friend. That’s a hopeless case. You gotta dial up your SUPER-organized, detail-oriented friend. Tell them that you are determined to carve out some “You” time by setting aside time to do what makes you happy. Ask them to be your accountability partner.

Your life is what you make it. Don’t waste your time on things that ultimately do not enhance your life. Find your balance. No one can love you more than God but you for dang sure better be 1st runner-up! Love yourself enough to not lose your Voice.