How being your own friend is the key to being a good songwriter

I often say that when you write songs to start with what's true; and being your own friend is essential to living in your truth. As a songwriter, it's especially important to be your own friend because our songs are a reflection of our innermost thoughts and feelings. However, many of us have learned from a young age to give up our own perceptions in order to make life easier for those around us. We don't want to be a bother and we want to coexist with the people we love or are supposed to love us.

The problem with this is that when we don't listen to our own intuition and perceptions, we become a walking lie. We let others cast us in roles based on their own projections, shame, and trauma. We join them and become an enemy to ourselves. This is not only damaging to our mental health, but it also affects our songwriting. Our songs become meaningless because they are not based on truth.

So how do we become our own friend? Here are 10 tips for being your own friend in life and songwriting:

1. Listen to your intuition: Your intuition is your internal compass. It's important to listen to it and trust it.

2. Speak kindly to yourself: Treat yourself like you would treat a good friend.

3. Set boundaries: It's okay to say no and set boundaries to protect your mental health.

4. Practice self-care: Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

5. Celebrate your successes: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.

6. Forgive yourself: We all make mistakes. It's important to forgive yourself and move on.

7. Be present: Stay in the present moment and enjoy life as it happens.

8. Practice gratitude: Focus on what you have and what you are grateful for.

9. Trust yourself: Trust your instincts and decisions.

10. Surround yourself with positivity: Surround yourself with people who lift you up and support you.

When you are your own friend, you are living in your truth. This truth is a frequency that we must tap into as songwriters. When we confront the truth, no matter how paradoxical, confusing, or disappointing it may be, our songs become more meaningful and powerful. So start being your own friend and watch your songwriting soar to new heights.

Listen to the Self-Help Songwriter podcast where I riff on this further here

How to Create Your Own Luck

As a singer-songwriter, I know firsthand the importance of being in tune with the universe and tapping into the power of positive energy. That's why I was so excited to stumble upon "Conscious Luck" by Gay Hendricks and Carol Kline in my audiobook app (s/o Hoopla!). This book offers game-changing exercises and perspectives for anyone looking to create a more fulfilling and successful life.

The authors lay out a step-by-step guide for harnessing the power of luck, and it all starts with understanding the concept of "conscious luck." This means being aware of the opportunities and possibilities that are always present in our lives, and being open to receiving them. The book then goes on to offer 8 specific steps for tapping into this power, and I want to share them with you so that you can start creating your own luck today!

1. Commit to being a VLP (very lucky person)

1. Make the DECISION/ have the intention to be lucky.

2. Release your personal barriers 

1. “That was then, this is now” - consciously break from your past

3. Become a magnet for abundance 

1. Turn every shame in your life into your treasure

2. Most often, this involves helping others

4. Have luck worthy goals

1. It’s gotta excite you!

5. Take consistent, bold action.

1. This is the hard part, but you’re lucky now you can do it!!

2. The more steps you take towards your dreams, the more steps they take towards you.

6. Find your lucky tribe

1. Hang out with your luckiest friends. Who do YOU consider lucky? It’s subjective.

7. Learn the right place and the right time. 

1. This step is all about calming your nervous system and tuning into your intuition- and following it!

8. Practice radical gratitude

1. We’re all lucky to be alive, after all! 

2. The more luck you feel, the more magnetizing you’ll be for luck. 

Let me know what you think of this! Are you ready to claim your LUCK?? I think you are!! You lucky dog!

Grab your own copy and let me know what you think!