We are a few days into the new year, and for many, this may be the time to make New Year’s resolutions, set goals, and start new things. And even if you’re not the type to make New Year’s resolutions, setting goals and figuring out what you’d like to change or achieve is always valuable – no matter what time of year it is!
Yet, despite all the hype around this kind of thing, making a fresh start can also feel very daunting. After all, it involves change, and that is never easy. Unpacking your flute after so many years can feel scary. You may feel like you’re standing at the bottom of an insurmountable mountain, wondering if you’re even doing the right thing. If you’ve experienced these feelings, you’re not alone.
Fresh starts are scary, no doubt, but at the same time, they can also be so powerful! If you’re someone who is making a fresh start – whether that is simply goal-setting at the beginning of a new year or quarter, getting back into the flute after a holiday or rest period, or even restarting the flute after several years, we’d like to encourage you to harness that energy. Use it to your best advantage!
Let’s look at some of the positives that come with making a fresh start…
A fresh perspective
Many of us may know that feeling of the same old, same old, of going through the motions, being stuck in the same repetitive pattern or routine.
Shortly before going on a short break in December last year, I was stuck in such a rut. It affected my perspective and ultimately my joy. Though I theoretically knew that I enjoyed what I did, I was getting to the point where the days were starting to feel tedious and the spark had faded a little. Perhaps you can relate, both in terms of daily life, but also perhaps in your flute practice. So, you decide to take some wise advice and step away from your (flute) routine for a while, hoping that the rest will do you good!
And, guess what? It does! I know that for me, simply being away from my desk for two weeks, not thinking about work at all, definitely helped me to see things in a new, fresh way. It’s a simple idea really – allowing your mind (and body) to rest and think about other things for a while, helps it to recalibrate and approach things with a novel perspective.
I found that upon returning to work, I could clearly see why I loved what I did; I felt more connected to it. I also had more of a birds-eye view. Whereas before, I often felt like I was stuck in the middle of it, bogged down by minor details. Taking that step back helped me to see the bigger perspective again and gave me a clearer view of things.
If you are returning to the flute after a period of absence, you may have had a similar experience. Seeing things differently can be a powerful catalyst in motivating and moving you forward on your flute journey!
You have more clarity on where you’re headed
In my job as a language trainer, I set new goals for each language course a student takes, no matter how many courses they have done in the past. Often they will tell me what worked in the last course and what didn’t. They have their experience to look back on and this helps them to clarify exactly where they want to go in the future.
Whatever the reason for your fresh start on the flute, reflecting on the past could be very useful. Ask yourself: What worked for me in the past and what didn’t? What do I want to do and see more of and what can I do without? As the saying goes – hindsight is 20/20. And the more honestly you can assess the past, the clearer you will be able to define your future goals and dreams!
So if you are making a fresh start on the flute, really take some time to take an honest look at your past flute experiences. Even better, write them down and/or talk to someone about it – a teacher, friend or fellow musician for example. Use that information to create a clear picture of where you’d like to be and set some new goals for yourself.
Motivation is usually high
As we can see by the traditionally full gyms in January, when we’re talking about fresh starts, many people often start their new endeavors highly motivated! The key of course is to keep the motivation consistent and not let it wear off. So how can we harness that “fresh start” energy and run with it?
Well, for one, I recommend using it to get organized, set goals and lay the foundations for your practice going forward. When you set an effective practice system in place for yourself, it makes it so much easier to keep that initial motivation high. Having a plan in place can be the vehicle that drives your motivation forward and keeps it in place. Not to mention the accountability and support of a community like this one!
Tatiana has written some wonderful blog posts to get you set up and ready for practice. The first one I’d like to mention here is entitled 10 tips to get back on track with your practice and the second one The ultimate guide to creating a sustainable practice plan. Both of these are very useful for setting up your personal practice plan and keeping that motivation consistently high!
Turning over a new leaf
Lastly, I believe that the simple act of just turning over a new leaf is significant. Making a fresh start also means that you’ve made a conscious choice to commit to learning or relearning the flute. This in itself is worth so much, and is hopefully the first good choice among many going forward!
If you are making a fresh start on the flute this year, in whatever capacity, we applaud you! And if you’re new here, feel free to browse our platform, or head on over to our YouTube channel for lots of amazing content to support you on your new flute journey. We are also offering an upcoming workshop called Restarting the Flute for all those restarting this beautiful instrument – we’ll be sharing more on that soon, so watch this space!
Happy practicing!
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