Indefinite Hiatus

Well, guess who got bit with the music bug again? Yup, that would be me. Being a former musician, who was completely and totally immersed in music until the birth of the little one (my last gig was two weeks before the birth!), I knew there would come a time when I would long to pick up the trumpet again. My life has been spent putting every single ounce of energy I have into one key interest at a time. Those interests would shift now and again, but music has been one that I've always been incredibly passionate about. I have never felt more myself than when I have my trumpet in my hands.

It's been hard for me to "get back into it" solely because of the reason that motherhood takes up a tremendous amount of energy and time. I couldn't imagine trying to do both; that's just how "into it" I get when music is in my life. But I've been feeling the shift for more than a month. (Okay, I admit...seeing a chick trumpet player at the Ani Difranco concert in January was just so much motivation.) But trying to figure out how to be both a mother and a musician is still something I've yet to solve. My idea of being a musician entails hours of practice a day, playing gigs, taking lessons and classes to finish my degree (almost there...), and so much more. But instead of getting overwhelmed and realizing that I can't quite make it back to school, I've decided to just continue lessons and put in as much practice as I can. Hopefully, gigs will soon follow.

So, with the way my mind works, I have to close the shop for an indefinite period. I'll finish up the custom orders I have and take any orders that arrive before Saturday, when the shop will officially close until further notice. It's nearly impossible for me to fathom running a shop and getting back into music at the same time. I've also toyed with the idea of getting a part time job this summer, so the little one can spend time with other children at another mama's house while I get some much needed social interaction with people actually my own age. I'm realizing that we're both at a point where this would be benificial.

I apologize if it appears that this has come from out of the blue. I guess I've been thinking about it for a while, but when the trumpet emerged today and those first few warm-up notes were played, I knew I had to do everything I could to put my all into it. Music is a huge part of me that has been dormant for so many months. I'm glad my interest in music has sparked again and I look forward to seeing what will become of it. Hopefully, you will too.

Comments

[Dawn]

Best of luck with your renewed interest in music! Good for you for following your passions.

[Bobbi]

this makes me very happy for you!

[jimin]

erin, i am so happy for you. i also admire people who plays the instrument. my husband plays sometimes and i love it. closing the etsy shop is great idea. you can concentrate better that way.
i love to hear you play in the future. good luck. :)

[Lisa]

Best wishes in your musical endeavors!

[molly]

yay for picking it back up again, erin. you have to do what's best for you and your family. I can't wait to hear more about lessons and bringing this part of music back into your life.

[Allison]

So many people search their whole lives to find something that they can be passionate about. You are so lucky to know what you want and to feel that pull.
Good for you!!!

[Chicago Sarah]

You listened to your heart, and acted. Bravo! Please put an occasional post about how things are with you...

[Melissa]

I hear that! When I was in high school, I was set on being a trumpet performance major, but then I got a boyfriend and then we got married young (I was 19) and I just couldn't find the balance between the both (like 6 hours of practice a day just couldn't happen, especially since we lived in an apartment). Now, 6 YEARS have gone by, and I have totally lost everything embouchure-wise . It makes me very sad, and I wish there was a way to fit it all together. Maybe there is!? I don't know. But for now I guess I'm very happy with how it all turned out.

Best of luck with getting back into your music. I'm sure you'll have no trouble. :)

And this is just my opinion, too, but I used to stay at home with my daughter, til she was about a year and a half, then I went back to work part time (because we had to financially). Now I'm at 36 hours a week (which is too much, I think, but sniff sniff, what must be done for our situation). Our daughter goes to daycare part time, just mornings, and I think it has benefitted everyone a lot. Every family is different, and I hope you find something that works out the best for you and yours!

Just don't disappear! :)

[melissa]

ps: disappear from your blog that is, I KNOW you wouldn't disappear from your family. :) Just thought I'd add on what I meant because I wasn't very clear. Haha!

[Amy]

I think that is fabulous. Go with it!

[Caren]

Good for you! That sounds exciting! I just hope that you still keep us updated on things every now and again in this space. Thanks for all the encouragement and inspiration that you've provided via this blog.

[Colleen]

That is very exciting and I couldn't be more happy for you and so proud of your courage to go for it. How inspiring you are. I look forward to hearing all about your new journey to a familiar destination.
Blessings.

[Michaela]

Wow - I used to play the trumpet too! It has been a long time though since I had it out of its case :(
Good for you - I'm sure you will enjoy getting back to something you are passionate about, and it will do both you and the little one good.
I've enjoyed reading your blog over the past few months - thank you for sharing a little bit of your life and being so inspiring. You know, I think I will try and make some time to get back into the trumpet playing myself.
Good luck xxx

[Emilie]

I'm excited for you!

[Stacey]

Erin this sounds like a really good move for you, listening to your real inner passion. Keep us updated on the music, as well as the , ducks, photos etc.

Happy inspiration following!

[Kim]

I will miss seeing your beautiful creations in your Etsy shop, but I am really excited for you in regards to your music. You seem like a person with strong passions and I think it is admirable and wonderful that you follow them.

Hats off to you!

You are truly one of the most inspirational people I know. (Well, know in the sense of 'have read your blog for a few years'...)

[Ravenhill]

Wow Erin! I love it! We have so much in common! I toy daily with the idea of tossing out the computer and thereby discontinuing blogging and selling my dolls. There are just so many other things that I should and often would like to be doing. I too have also had so many other interests that I have thrown myself into. I have accepted it that I just plain go through phases of being interested in various things.

The other thing that was funny about what you had to say was that I have been just brainstorming about how to get Sebastian involved with music and playing an instrument! Hopefully we will be going to a number of concerts and gigs ourselves.

If you really and truly decide to stop your blog I will miss you! I wish you so much luck in your love of the trumpet and let's please stay in touch!
Hugs from Emily

[Grace]

I know of what you speak. That's all I can say about it for now. I know you know. Let's talk more soon about this, OK?

Oh, Ani DiFranco is on the cover of the latest Mothering magazine. Did you see that? My former 90's Ani fan was super happy to see her there. Just as it should be, I thought.