I appreciate you sharing. I agree that sometimes rock bottom propels us to increase.
I was a server trying to make ends meet since I moved to Nashville in 2010. A few years ago the restaurant I was employed at for 7 years was no longer hiring seasonal help. I was let go and I was devastated. I felt defeated and hopeless. I too understand what it’s like borrowing money from Mom.
That rock bottom was the beginning to me doing music full time in Nashville. I decided to follow my heart and teach piano lessons again. I started with 2 students. It wasn’t easy at first to afford rent, but I always came home from work with a smile on my face.
Fast forward a few years and I am teaching piano 6 days a week and making double what I made waitressing! When Covid stopped the world and the restaurant I worked at was forced to limit their seating capacity, my former fellow employees were either let go or barely getting by. I was blessed to be able to continue virtual piano lessons and Covid was a time to save money.
Teaching music has also inspired me to compose even more songs than before. I am proud to say I haven’t had to borrow money from my Mom since I hit my rock bottom. :)
I love this so much!! Rock bottom never feels good at the time, but it's amazing how looking back you can see how it was necessary to propel you towards what you really want. It's much harder to make serious changes when everything is fine.. sometimes things need to get as bad as they can before we get motivated to make those big changes in life!
I agree! It’s nice to be reminded that other people have experienced a rock bottom, so I appreciate you sharing. Not always easy being a musician and it’s nice to feel a little less alone. :)
This is so real, Vanessa. Having lived as a writer..! My son graduates from music school today, and we've been talking about all of this. And when are you going paid here...? I've been on Substack for just over a year. I'd be open to exchanging emails about thoughts on this, if you want (alison@alisonacheson.com... and we can delete this post, or edit out the address later :) I'm really enjoying your work! If you don't want to set anything behind the paywall, but you want to keep open and share... you might just make it an option for those of us who would like to pay to show appreciation.
In the past couple years I've started to do what I call "arts tithing"--and I've found new artists and new music and stories, and it's just been good to do, especially through these covid times. I've written about it, and will share a link as explanation: https://medium.com/an-idea/how-to-keep-the-arts-alive-and-healthy-ee6d1bb9a8a2
If this is over-stepping, don't hesitate to delete!! Thank you for your work.
I love these emails you write. Well done!
Thanks, Mandy! I really appreciate you reading them :)
I appreciate you sharing. I agree that sometimes rock bottom propels us to increase.
I was a server trying to make ends meet since I moved to Nashville in 2010. A few years ago the restaurant I was employed at for 7 years was no longer hiring seasonal help. I was let go and I was devastated. I felt defeated and hopeless. I too understand what it’s like borrowing money from Mom.
That rock bottom was the beginning to me doing music full time in Nashville. I decided to follow my heart and teach piano lessons again. I started with 2 students. It wasn’t easy at first to afford rent, but I always came home from work with a smile on my face.
Fast forward a few years and I am teaching piano 6 days a week and making double what I made waitressing! When Covid stopped the world and the restaurant I worked at was forced to limit their seating capacity, my former fellow employees were either let go or barely getting by. I was blessed to be able to continue virtual piano lessons and Covid was a time to save money.
Teaching music has also inspired me to compose even more songs than before. I am proud to say I haven’t had to borrow money from my Mom since I hit my rock bottom. :)
I love this so much!! Rock bottom never feels good at the time, but it's amazing how looking back you can see how it was necessary to propel you towards what you really want. It's much harder to make serious changes when everything is fine.. sometimes things need to get as bad as they can before we get motivated to make those big changes in life!
I agree! It’s nice to be reminded that other people have experienced a rock bottom, so I appreciate you sharing. Not always easy being a musician and it’s nice to feel a little less alone. :)
This is so real, Vanessa. Having lived as a writer..! My son graduates from music school today, and we've been talking about all of this. And when are you going paid here...? I've been on Substack for just over a year. I'd be open to exchanging emails about thoughts on this, if you want (alison@alisonacheson.com... and we can delete this post, or edit out the address later :) I'm really enjoying your work! If you don't want to set anything behind the paywall, but you want to keep open and share... you might just make it an option for those of us who would like to pay to show appreciation.
In the past couple years I've started to do what I call "arts tithing"--and I've found new artists and new music and stories, and it's just been good to do, especially through these covid times. I've written about it, and will share a link as explanation: https://medium.com/an-idea/how-to-keep-the-arts-alive-and-healthy-ee6d1bb9a8a2
If this is over-stepping, don't hesitate to delete!! Thank you for your work.
Thanks Alison! I really appreciate your comment and thoughts! I'll email you now :)