Sometimes we all need a break. Maintaining focused attention for the years it will take to master an instrument can be overwhelming.
How do I deal with it?
I take some time off to rest, contemplate and recommit to the project. My project is drumming, yours is piano. I seek out time for deep listening, exploring new perspectives, and solitary practice.
My solitary practices this summer is to master the work from the last year of lessons.
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I have rediscovered the joy of piano practice with my daily “breakfast piano minute” video series posts.
I am reading some novels, reconnecting with friends in our post Covid environment, and takings walks in the woods.
Some similar activities may help you too stay on top of things.
​
David

How many hobbies can one-person juggle?
 
Depends. I juggle one. I had two, but Covid19 put an end to that.

​I’ve students who try to juggle 3 or more while holding down jobs, spouses, children, and life. They often looked stressed. How do my less stressed students do it? Here are some tactics they follow:
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1. They decide on just one hobby at a time. To paraphrase Ecclesiastes, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun.” They prioritise what to tackle based on where they are in life. Marathons in their 30’s, night school in their 40’s, piano in their 50’s, gardening in their 60’s. You get the idea.
2. Some give themselves permission just to have fun and take it a day at a time. If you are an old-fashioned type A driver this might be take some work, but it is possible. My other hobby was ballroom dancing until Covid19. Friday nights we would just show up and have fun in a low stress class. No practicing until the following week. It took 2 years to get to level 2. We were having fun.
3. They give up something to make room for something new.

BTW, my hobby is drumming. It is now becoming a business. There will be more to this story in the years to come.

Do you remember why you were attracted to piano in the first place? Put up a post it note on the piano to keep it front of mind.

Cheers,
 
David

Keeping a hobby, a hobby can be an issue. Students, like athletes can easily burnout if they don't monitor their current activity with their original motivation for taking lessons. 

Adults can be especially vulnerable to this problem. Trying to catch up for lost time they often over practice, which over time leads to exhaustion and/or injury. 

Learning piano is a journey that lasts a lifetime. Focus on the process, not the destination is often quoted in the success literature. I concur. 

• Have fun.
• Learn to practice.
• Share your music.
• Go to concerts.
• Practice smart.
• Celebrate small victories and milestones.

Best, 


David Story