New Video: New Slang - The Shins (Cover) (Patreon)

I had so much fun revisiting this old favorite, "New Slang" by The Shins. It's on what is probably one of my all-time favorite soundtracks (from an all-time favorite movie)--Garden State. It is such a simple film, but at the time in my life when I first watched it, something about its honesty and rawness really struck a chord with me. It encapsulated something magical about life that I hadn't quite found how to express yet. Still working on how to do that, I suppose :)

In other news, I've been working on trying to create(/allow) more space in my life. I feel like these days there can be such an emphasis on output, productivity, accomplishment, being BUSY, that there is little room for simply being and enjoying all the in between moments in life. I've found that both for my happiness and the quality of my music, I really benefit from creating more space in my life, but something inside of me (probably that darn brain of mine) keeps telling me if I don't fill every nook and cranny with "work" that I'm being lazy or irresponsible. But when I step back it's so clear--and in practice and has become even more-so. Recently, in a particularly stressed out moment, I convinced myself to step away from my computer and go on a long walk. At first I resisted, felt guilty, imagined everything I could be getting done, and the slowly I relaxed, and the world around me came into focus, and suddenly I felt SO GOOD! Then, as if the joy and lightness I was feeling wasn't enough, I came home and out of nowhere a new song poured out of me for the first time in months (Birdsong--you may have heard me talk about it!). Something that definitely would never had happened had I remained stuck in a world of emails, stress, and (let's be honest) way too much pointless social media checking. 

So anyway, that's what I've been thinking about lately. Would love to hear how any of you create space to take care of yourself. Some recent favorites of mine include: going on walks, reading, taking a bath, listening (REALLY listening, not passively) to an album I love, calling my family, journaling, meditating, staring at whatever animal happens to be outside my window.

Little reminder to Hedgehogs and up--don't forget we have our March Coffee Date Hangout this coming Wednesday! Get the info here: https://bit.ly/2I1vekN

Okay, I'll let you get back to life! Have a wonderful weekend :) Thank you for allowing me to rediscover the joy of music, of singing, and of creating space (so I can create more music in turn). Endlessly grateful <3

xo

Kina