In music, resilience is not a skill; it’s a necessity. Emily Zwijack, a passionate musician and advocate for mental health in music, shares her personal insights on navigating setbacks, managing criticism, and prioritizing well-being in a demanding industry. Her journey offers valuable lessons for musicians striving to excel while maintaining their mental and emotional health.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Reflecting on her early experiences, Emily remembers the nerves and pressure of auditions. Starting violin late meant she had to catch up quickly. Each setback, like forgetting a piece during a performance, taught her resilience and the importance of perseverance. Setbacks in music, whether technical challenges or unexpected failures, are inevitable. Emily shares a crucial mindset: They're not setbacks; they're opportunities to learn and grow. Every stumble is a chance to refine skills and strengthen resolve.
Navigating Criticism
Criticisms are inevitable in the journey of a musician. Emily acknowledges that in music school, criticism can be daunting. But it’s about learning to separate constructive feedback from personal attacks. She advises building resilience by focusing on improvement rather than perfection, as criticism, when taken constructively, fuels growth.
Self-Care
In her musical journey, Emily discovered repercussions of neglecting self-care early on. Admitting to initially overlooking its importance, she faced burnout that significantly impacted her performance. She now firmly believes that self-care isn't selfish but rather essential for maintaining her skills and fostering creativity in music.
Emily suggests that occasional breaks for simple pleasures like a spontaneous trip to CVS can do wonders in regaining focus and alleviating stress. She is an advocate for structured practice sessions where specific goals can be checked off, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to take breaks or switch tasks to maintain peak performance.
Online Communities
The digital age has transformed how musicians connect and support each other. Emily, in particular, found solace in online communities during tough times, noting they provide a safe space to share struggles, seek advice, and find solidarity.
Although mental health awareness in music is gaining traction, stigma persists. To combat this, Emily co-hosts a podcast with Claire Barber, her fellow high school graduate, called “Dissonant Dialogues,” where they hold discussions about mental health in conservatories and the industry in general. She stresses the importance of normalizing conversations about mental well-being, asserting that seeking help isn't a sign of weakness but a step towards resilience.
Bouncing Back
Resilience isn't just about enduring setbacks; it's about thriving despite them. Emily's journey taught her that after setbacks and moments of self-doubt, focusing on her love for music reignited her passion and reminded her why she perseveres.
She advises aspiring musicians not to let setbacks define them but to use them as stepping stones to greater achievements. To Emily, resilience isn't innate; it's cultivated through perseverance and self-belief.
Key Takeaways
Emily's journey through setbacks, criticism, and self-discovery resonates deeply with aspiring musicians. Each challenge she faced strengthened her resolve and deepened her passion for music. Her insights into resilience, self-care, and community support offer invaluable guidance for navigating the highs and lows of a musical career.
No matter where you are in your musical journey, let Emily’s journey remind you: setbacks are opportunities for growth, criticism is a pathway to improvement, and self-care is essential for longevity.
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