Amanda's 100 Day Project: Joyful Noise
This is a story about Amanda reconnecting with music. Photo by @wolfskullcreative
This is a story about
reconnecting with the things that used to bring you joy but that you left behind
doing things that make YOU happy regardless of your skill level or what others might think of it
being YOURSELF
recognizing unhelpful narratives that play in our minds and recognizing them for what they are- THOUGHTS not FACTS
the power of Sankalpa
Like so many of us in the Boreal Bliss community, Bryana first introduced me to the concept of a Sankalpa.
SAN: a connection with the highest truth
KALPA: a vow, reminder, promise, or commitment to oneself
A Sankalpa is much like setting an intention, or reciting a mantra, but taking it a step beyond. At our retreats we typically suggest for at least 30 days, up to 365 days, or until it feels “complete.”
I grew up in a very musical household. My mom played guitar and piano daily. We drifted off to sleep to my mom playing the theme from The Man From Snowy River. Singing around the bonfire while my mom led the music was, and is, one of my favorite things to do on a summer night. It is also one of the things I love most about my mom. I have always aspired to be like her, to be able to lead people in music around a fire.
This is one of my favorite photos from our wedding. My Mom playing guitar. <3
I played flute in our high school band. In high school and college I sang in every group imaginable. Seriously- in college I was involved in the Women’s Choir, the Carthage Choir, the Jazz Ensemble, and the Gospel Choir. I spent at least 2 hours a day making music throughout college.
After college I largely abandoned music. I sang with a band for a few years, the Golly Llamas, but we didn’t have regular gigs. (Here are some cool pictures of the band playing at my wedding. I did sing some songs with them but little sister McCayla took on my role for the wedding and rocked it).
In other words, I left this beautiful practice- so essential to who I am-completely abandoned.
And want to hear something really bananas??? For most of my life I had a narrative that I wasn’t good at music. I still struggle with this. Those inner narratives sure can be nasty can’t they?! I am also learning to recognize these thoughts as just that- thoughts.
When pregnant with Oslo I felt called to the Sankalpa, “in this house, we make music.”
I ordered a stand for my ukelele and my guitar so they would be out and visible. This led to me practicing much more frequently. When the pandemic hit, I started playing almost daily.
Here we are a year later. Now I have a basket full of music books and instruments (tamborines, maracas, a bongo, a rainstick, etc). My husband started playing the guitar. I volunteered to create a songbook for my husband’s family reunion. I am helping my niece learn to play the ukelele. I am saying YES to all things music.
Over the past two years that sankalpa has shifted to, “I make music.”
This is where I’ll be teaching yoga and ending class with music this summer, my home turf, McQuade Safe Harbor.
Rad photo by @wolfskullcreative
It fills my soul to play music.
Playing music (and the absence thereof) is something I feel in my whole body. I had left behind something that I’d found so much joy in throughout my adolescence. Now that I’m feeling more immersed in music, I’m feeling much more whole and true to my essential self.
I am about to embark on a 100 day project. The linked article in the previous sentence does a nice job explaining the concept of a 100 day project. I have decided to make music every day for 100 days. The majority will be singing with ukelele, but will also include some guitar, and some wild cards.
I have to say… I am so excited about this undertaking. I am sort of obsessed. Looking for music, practicing, and preparing to nurture music for 100 days.
I’m also TOTALLY FREAKED OUT by the 100 day project and putting myself out there in this way. (Who do I think I am? I am not good enough!? What was I thinking!?!) But, I am working on recognizing these thoughts and moving forward. I remind myself that it’s good to do things that scare you.
I am hoping the 100 day project will help me break through the plateau I’m at and progress with my musical instruments. I am working on progress not perfection.
If you’d like to follow my 100 day project, I created an instagram just for this @joyfulnoise_meeda
You can also hear me at our summer retreats or at my summer yoga series at McQuade Safe Harbor on Tuesday nights from 7-8pm.
Want to join me at McQuade this summer? Sign up for a pass here.
My sister gave me this hand-printed shirt with a Luna Moth embossed on it as a reminder to do the things I like to do instead of trying to please everyone else.
Rad photo by @wolfskullcreative
Some questions for reflection:
What did you enjoy before you were 18?
Is there anything you used to love that you’ve left behind?
Does a 100 day project call to you? If yes, consider joining me in this project! We begin June 1, 2021. (For more info check out followyourfeelgood.com or follow @sarahseidelmann on instagram)
Few more notes on the 100 day project. It can be simple, should only take 5-20 minutes per day. Some ideas from Sarah Seidelmann:
write down something you are thankful for every day
dance each day for 5 minutes to a different song
photograph Lake Superior every day
Draw a map of your life
Record an experience of parenting/motherhood each day
Create art using only circles
