Harmony Rediscovered: My Journey from Burnout to Offering Healing Through Music
Life as a professional musician was once a whirlwind of passion, ambition, and fulfilled dreams. The thrill of performing on grand stages with household names, the applause of the crowd, my name in the credits on blockbuster films, and the intoxicating melodies that flowed through my fingertips were all I ever wanted. But as the years passed, the relentless demands of the music industry took their toll, and I found myself in the depths of mid-career burnout.
The signs were subtle at first – a creeping exhaustion, a loss of inspiration. Glamorized hustle culture makes it hard to stay connected with friends and family. The long hours and late nights make it impossible to maintain personal relationships. In silence and isolation, I felt a growing sense of disconnection from the very music that had once defined my identity and existence.
Amidst the darkness of COVID-19 Global Pandemic, I found a glimmer of hope in relational psychotherapy. I delved into the world of therapy training to heal my strained relationship with music. I learned to understand what it means to expand my identity beyond a performer, to rediscover the healing potential of my musical gifts and the joy of creating music with a purpose beyond achieving recognition and fame.
My path led me to earn a master’s degree in relational psychotherapy counseling and my life took a new direction. I felt a profound calling to use my journey as a musician to help others find work-life balance, just as I had. Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist opened doors to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, each carrying their unique burdens and stories. In their smiles and tears, I found the purpose and fulfillment that had eluded me in my previous life as a musician.
Now, my mission is clear. I want to share the healing power of the sound of the cello with people from all walks of life. I am calling for others who struggle and question the hustle culture in silence and isolation, to band together and create a new meaning through music- to serve and to heal ourselves and others.
My journey from burnout to healing has been a testament to the transformative power of relational therapy. It's not just about switching a career path; it's about finding new ways to redefine my identity and sharing my skills with a new purpose, one that brings healing, hope, and harmony to the lives of those who need it most.
