What happens to your singing when you go through hard times?

I've been feeling...lost, stressed, scared, tense, numb, depressed, dull, un-inspired, trapped, alone...all these things lately...and it's been affecting me. I haven't been in the mood to sing too much...I've not been ABLE to sing for the past 3 weeks cause my mother in-law has been staying with us and then I was away interstate for 10 days...now I'm back (today) and miss my parents, my best friend, my home town...I am just not myself.

Anyway...I have not made any new songs or music for months...and I don't know how to channel my feelings into creative outlets...I am too tense to sing. And too negatively-charged to be inspired enough to create my own music. I'm even feeling the rather destructive urge to push away peoples' kind and supportive compliments and comments on my voice. When I think about how lovely everyone's been here, and the other forums I joined while HC was down, I feel ANGRY, not happy...how weird is that, eh? *sigh* I feel like screaming "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU, ARE YOU ALL DEAF!?!?!" When people tell me I'm good or they like my voice. I feel that I suck and will always suck...but underneath I know I don't.

How do you deal with difficult times in terms of music and singing, my forum friends?

"Grace" ~ You are an artistic and creative person. You express your heart through song, like a songbird on a beautiful morning, and when we don't feel like expressing these feelings they become too "piled up" inside.

It's only a season you're going through.Be patient with yourself. When I feel the way you do right now I try to go out and help someone in need...it helps me to regain my focus on what really matters in life (loving people).

People are complimenting you because they want to encourage you. They probably sense that you're not the same you and they are concerned.

Sometimes it's easy for us to hide behind our music..., sometimes it's not.

Keep smiling and tomorrow will be a better day !

Sometimes, these times enter our lives and feel as if they'll be here forever.. But, no matter how bad everything gets, there is always a golden ring beyond the horizon. Grace, you are an amazing singer, and there's no need to ever question that. You have a natural blessing of such a beautiful voice, and you should show no fear to express yourself through the bad and good times through your singing. Inspiration will come at the least expected of times. I know that I feel the same troubles at times, but life keeps on happening. The good and the bad, they're each a part of the greater whole.. And I know that things will be better eventually.

Just remember, it can't rain all the time.

Hoping and praying for the best for you, Grace!

Tough times are the staple of great music

My voice changed, or my emotions changed my voice. whichever. But I have never written anything as powerful as during that time period. It translates, timeless.

Good luck with all you are going through. Keep your head up

I just find ways to work my way back to being happy with music and singing. Often that will be a favourite band or particular song. Sometimes it's just busting out the acoustic and playing guitar for a while and ignoring the singing.

I haven't felt like I've had much to say as a songwriter over the past few years, and that combined with having two kids (one of them special needs) and a job has turned me into a once-in-a-while songwriter instead of the relatively prolific one I used to be.

You just have to get yourself in the right place and find your muse. For me, it was actually Muse - they got me excited about making music again, because they're crazy.

Best of luck to you, my dear. I hope you find inspiration soon. And no matter how you feel about yourself, just remember that everything is relative. If you have a {censored}ty day as a singer, it's still better than all the people out there who can't even sing. Being able to sing is a special thing. All you have to do is watch Idol to see how rare it truly is to find actual singers.

Brian V.

Aw, thank you all. I think I've just become worn down with various chronic stress situations that may or may not go away any time soon...it just seems hard to change my recently-developed attitude that the older we get and the longer we're around, the worse and more sad life becomes. And that's a TERRIBLE way to think!!!

I have been having to hold myself back from typing rude comments in response to nice people on other forums who have told me they love my voice. How hideous is that...? lol

I think I just need space. Thank GOD my mother in-law is finally leaving today after 3 weeks. *groan of relief*

Neither the good times nor the bad ones ever last. It always changes.

So treasure the good times, and know when you're in the bad ones that the good ones will come back around again.

lol, thank you!

I'm trying to be more positive and get back to "me"...

I just wonder how some people can turn negative emotions into songs...I once read Kate Bush said that after her mother died, she couldn't write any music for ages. It was too painful. This is how I feel now but nobody's died and I feel nowhere near as negative as she must've at that time, but I can't channel how I do feel into songs...WHY THE HELL NOT, I ASK!? lol

I'm listening to my version of River...you know...to be honest, when I recorded that I thought it was pretty good. But now...it just sucks. *sigh* I am really...am I delusional? And if so, which way!? I mean, I can hear OFF KEY notes in this song! And little mistakes. *head in hands* Why did I think it was ok in the first place? Am I delusional to think I can sing at all? Or am I delusional to think I'm NOT as good as so many people keep telling me I am...

...you're not all just saying it to be nice, are you? Truly?

Wow, I didn't know you felt this way...It's like you and I are soul mates or something because I feel the same way!

I can't give the best advice because I too feel the same and I don't know what to do. The motivation I had feels gone, and empty...When I play the piano...I just don't "feel" it anymore?

When it comes to you Grace:

You are yourself....

However feelings you may have been hiding have decided to surface.

It doesn't make you a different person, just makes you human!

(and this is a good thing)

I wish I could say do what makes you happy because for me, the only thing that makes me happy (lately) is sleep. I think I'm burned out from the holidays...You could be too?

Sometimes....I fee like I've toured a million cities, and have created more than 10 albums, seriously! I've made so many songs...but I haven't done sh!t with any of them...They don't fit into any genre, they don't even make sense, lol! but I've made them....

I appreciate your talent as a singer, but I also can see how you are feeling

as a person-which is my point. Take the pressure off, and take the advice you gave me...You don't have to be a singer! You don't *have* to do gigs, or write masterpieces.....

I think as a forum, we all want you to!!!

Only because we all can see a talent that should definitely NOT go to waste, but (and this is a big butt) It's all about how you want to view yourself, and how you feel....No rush, no pressure, and no expectations you don't need to meet.

This forum :love:'s you whether you are on billboards top 100 or

on Limpy's Leftover's!!!

This is my point:wave:

LOL, awww, what a lovely post. I do feel better now. Reading something like that makes things seem a bit more simple, which is a nice feeling. (I'm trying to lighten up a bit. Did you read my Cookie Monster thread? LOL)

Yes I did, but I can't find my headphones

(ever seen the show called "Hoarders?" lofl!!!)

When I find them I'll give it a listen, my lappy speakers are pretty awful:)

It's all good Grace!

I'll be your unconditional friend whenever you need one...

Watch Paranormal State if you want laughs...

I seriously come close to peeing my pants

(of course its funnier with my added commentary and random pausing)

but the show is The Lulz on its own merits (if it had any!!!)

Especially with the "psychic" Chip!!!!!

I don't think you really need to worry about having good speakers for the Cookie Monster. lol

Paranormal State, eh? Hmm.

I want to download this show called Intervention from Youtube. It's about people addicted to various weird things and their loved ones intervening. Someone was hooked on computer disc cleaner or something. I must see it. lol