R&B Meets Thrash Metal: A Lesson in Showing Up for Myself

At the end of last year, I sat in New Zealand and thought about how I wanted things to be different.

I knew I couldn’t have another year that was all about work. It had consumed way too much of my life, and I promised myself I’d make space for the things that give me joy.

One of those things was singing.

Singing for me has never really been about being perfect or performing for anyone else. It was about showing up and giving myself permission to enjoy it. Just singing for the sake of it, trying new songs, and tapping back into my creative energy.

And today, I kept that promise.

It wasn’t some grand moment, just one of those ad hoc jam sessions that happens when Adam and I both have the time.

He brought his guitar, and we just played around with stuff.

It was messy and chaotic in the best way and we had a lovely bottle of Italian white to keep us company.

My highlight? Attempting an R&B-style version of a thrash metal track. Ha Ha, because apparently that’s who we are now.

It was ridiculous and brilliant. There were plenty of off-key notes (from me) and fumbled chords (from him) during the sesssion but we just kept going, laughing through it all.

These jam sessions remind me why this promise matters so much. It's not about chasing perfection; it’s about being in the moment, having fun, and keeping a little part of my life that’s just for me, not for work, not for productivity, just for the joy of it.

And Adam’s a huge part of that.

He’s an incredible bandmate - I think I can call him that now.  

He makes it easy to be vulnerable, to mess up, and to find the fun in trying new things. The kind of person you can count on to bring both good vibes and great music.

I don’t know if we would have crossed paths without work. Me and a Canadian guitarist? Not exactly the most likely ofpairings, but I’m really grateful we did.

The thing is, last year, I let singing slip. I let me slip. Work took up so much mental space that there wasn’t much room for anything else. But this year, I’m determined to change that.

Today felt like proof that I’m on the right path. I’m showing up for myself in the ways I promised I would. More singing, more jamming, more moments where I can just be fully present and having fun.

Because life can’t be all work, can it?

It’s these moments of connection and creativity that remind me who I am outside of it.

And I love that.