I originally planned to release a blog post about a few ways to improve live performance, but instead with this unexpected COVID-19 pandemic I’d like to pivot and talk about something more relevant since most of us aren’t currently able to play live shows. The beauty of limitation.
It seems to me that there are two types of people right now: Those who’ve been approaching the situation with a more negative mindset, focusing on what we can’t do (play gigs, go on tour, etc.) and those who are making the most out of the situation, finding ways to turn a (seemingly) negative series of events into something positive, or even beautiful. I assert that the second category is an objectively better mindset to adopt.
There’s a saying I like that sounds cliché, but sayings become cliché for a reason, right? Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to what happens. So if we imagine the 10% as our limitations, that leaves most of our lives to be creative and work with the cards we are dealt.
Now, I do not want to downplay or dismiss anyone that is experiencing the inability to provide the basics of food, water, & shelter for themselves or their family due to being temporarily laid off. My heart goes out to you and if you happen to be in that situation, please check out the links at the bottom of the page for support.
OK so what’s the point?
Here’s how I look at it: Right now we are being reminded of our fragility and limitations. I believe that as a society, we are under the illusion that life has always been as easy as we've experienced it in modern times. For most of us, lights turn on with the flip of a switch, we have clean water with the turn of a handle, and there is food ready to eat when we open a cabinet or refrigerator.
This wasn’t always the case. For the majority of our existence as a species, life has been absolutely terrifying and miserable. From our ancestors that lived in trees and were in constant fear of being eaten by snakes and other predators, to even just 200 years ago when people dumped their human waste into the streets below from windows; relatively speaking we’ve had it pretty damn easy.
Now take a second and imagine if we weren’t limited beings. What would life be like? What if we could live forever, do anything we wished, and felt constant bliss. Would anything be “special” anymore? Would there be a need for music? So what if you could play the drums? So could everyone else if they wanted to. Eventually, you’d become bored of playing drums (or whatever instrument you play). There would be no reason to get anything done, because you could always get around to it tomorrow. Death, our greatest limitation, drives innovation and puts everything else into perspective.
I believe that not despite of, but BECAUSE of our limitations, what we are able to accomplish as human beings is special and deserves unrelenting admiration.
So, you have options. You can feel sorry for yourself, take the time off to “relax” and sleep in, you don’t have to go to the gym, you can take a break from the “grind” of life. Or, you can use your newfound free time to double down on your passion, create something new, reconnect with your family and people you were “too busy” to call when you were on the road, learn a new instrument, refocus your practice time, the list goes on.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, my band’s three-week long tour and our plans to record new tracks got canceled. And just like you, I’m unable to play any gigs because all of the restaurants, bars, and venues in Illinois are shut down.
But instead of using these unfortunate circumstances as excuses to give up, I decided to improve my mental, physical, and spiritual well-being by:
Revamping my website
Releasing my blog “In The Groove”
Setting up a simple mic setup for my drums
Learning the basics of audio engineering (mic placement, EQ, compression) with the help of my roommate
Working out at home everyday
Reading more
Beginning the process of creating online content for Skype/virtual drum lessons
Reflecting on the value and necessity of community
Studying to become a certified personal trainer
Using social media to connect with others instead of just scrolling and tapping the “like” button
Please, don’t forget how special it is to be alive because of the fact that we are limited beings. You have the ability to decide how to react in these uncertain times, so why not make the most of them? I implore you to do something you’ve never done. Do something that pushes you outside your comfort zone. At the very least, you’ll learn something! Who knows, it could change your life for the better.
I’d love to know what you’re up to while we are all adapting to the current situation in the comments below. If you need help staying in shape physically without going to the gym, please email me at groovi.drummer@gmail.com for a personalized workout routine based on what you have in your home. Even if it’s just your body and the floor, there are plenty of exercises and movements that we can do to help your body run optimally, and as a result, improve your productivity and creative output in general.
Stay healthy, everyone.
~Austin
COVID-19 FINANCIAL SUPPORT LINKS:
Powerful perspective! Thank you for sharing and reminding us all to keep our eyes on the horizon and keep moving towards what gives us meaning in life.
Guess what! I swam 50 laps today, something I haven’t tried incorporated into my workouts before today. I realized I truly enjoy it and it will become part of my routine!