If you want to show yourself — fully, honestly, and with your whole being — singing is one of the most powerful ways to do it. I say this not only because I’m a singer myself and have guided people with their voices for years, but because singing invites you into full presence. The thing is … you yourself are the instrument. You can’t hide when you sing. Not behind anything. 

Even if singing isn’t your main discipline, it’s a deeply valuable practice for anyone. Singing gives you direct, unfiltered access to what’s going on inside of you. You only have to learn to listen, because in fact everyone can sing.

Singing as a Mirror

Singing reveals, with surprising clarity, how you tend to treat yourself. When you pay attention, you get a glimpse into your inner world: what’s happening in your mind, where your body tenses, where your emotions respond.

Through your voice, you can access beautiful insights about yourself, your blocks, and your patterns.

We all know the moments where things don’t flow. Where you feel something is in the way.
Where you fall back into old habits. Or notice you’re living far smaller than you deep down long for.

What lives inside of you — that’s what becomes real in your life.
Your beliefs shape your habits, and your habits shape your results.
It’s simply cause and effect.

Singing can be used as a tool to reveal it all, simply because ‘the way you do anything, is the way you do everything’ (as Tom Waits said).

Why Being Free Doesn’t Come Naturally

Many of us grew up in environments where we have learned to adapt. It might even have been dangerous to be seen as “strange,” “unnecessary,” or “too much.”

“Just act normal — that’s weird enough.”

Maybe that sounds familiar.

Without noticing it, we adopt beliefs that keep us small.
Playing becomes scary.
Experimentation becomes uncomfortable.
Free singing feels almost impossible.
And showing who you truly are? Even more so.

We want to belong to our tribe, that is something that is ingrained deep in our DNA. Back in the day it actually was very dangerous to not belong to a group. Within the context of a social structure was food, warmth, shelter. Outside this cave was the big bad world with many things out to get you.

Nowadays our world has shifted. But inside of us still lives that knowledge that it is safer to adapt. And we all have a family we grew up in and that has shaped us into who we are today.
And so …. the most talented become exceptionally skilled at producing noise instead of truth:

• busyness
• procrastination
• perfectionism
• “never enough”
• “no time”

Everything that keeps us from doing what actually matters. Because what truly matters, is that thing that sets you apart from the crowd (and is therefore dangerous).

Now Let’s Get Practical

All those inner movements become crystal clear the moment you start singing.
– Your mind has opinions (don’t we all have that inner voice that is constantly giving ‘feedback’ to what we are doing).
→ Your emotions go in every direction.
→ Your body shows you exactly where tension lives.

And that is valuable information. It is actually a portal to your much desired change.

Because …. These reactions don’t point to failure — they show you what you truly believe deep inside yourself. That’s why singing is such a loving, honest mirror. So … are you ready for a little adventure?

What You Can Do

You know … the best way to go exploring inside of yourself is first make sure you feel safe to do this. What I have learned is, that it is helpful to create a space for these little experiments. Literally. So: retreat in a place where you can be undisturbed for a while, no phones on and tell yourself (and that little ‘helpful’ voice inside of you!) that it is safe to play for a while. And … everything else can wait outside the door of your safe place.

•  Sing a song. Just for the joy of it. Choose a song you like, something simple. And remember: the goal is not that you perform in a big arena!
• Observe what happens in your mind and body when you are singing— with soft eyes, without judgment. It can be smart to write down what you noticed afterwards
•  Notice the thoughts or beliefs that rise up. Write them down too. And … it is of the utmost importance to not attach any value to it. It is just what it is. 

And then ….  practice bending those ideas into something kinder, truer. Observe how that changes your voice and your singing.