I'm a Music Therapist

Living in the midwest, I start to grow weary of the sub-freezing temperatures and wind chill about the end of February. This weekend, I took time to do some deep “winter cleaning” as a way to get myself out of a February funk. Clearing out my living space was so rejuvenating I started thinking about all the little tasks the music therapist in me puts off, but really needs to keep up on. I think of it as small-scale self-care. Unless I create time for a little music therapy “maintenance”, things seem to pile up until I’m frazzled.

If you’re looking to mix up your music therapy routine, below are 15 ideas for some music therapy maintenance for self-care.

1. Change your guitar strings: Even though I play my guitar everyday, this is a chore I neglect too often.

2. Tally your CMTEs: You’ll be more organized when your certification cycles is ending and you can keep tally online at CBMT.org.

3. Listen to a podcast: Easy to multi-task and learn some new information while doing dishes or in the middle of your commute. I love the Pitch podcast (hearpitch.org) or there are many music therapy podcasts available!

4. Practice a forgotten instrument: I admit, my ukulele sits in my closet way too often. Time to pull out that harmonica, mandolin, or whatever else you haven’t set time aside for.

5. Practice a new instrument: If you’re feeling ambitious, try a completely new instrument! A time will arise when you can incorporate it into your clinical work.

6. Practice your primary instrument: Maybe you were a band geek in high school, but becoming proficient in clinical guitar, piano and voice might have pushed your violin, clarinet, or trumpet down on the priority list. Re-discover the reason you originally became a musician.

7. Watch a music documentary: Storytelling and music have so many beautiful manifestations. Maybe you’ll watch “Alive Inside” so you have a first-hand knowledge of what everyone’s talking about. Netflix also offers plenty of options.

8. Attend a concert or musical: It can be a special treat for yourself and there’s something about live music that makes the experience more electric.

9. Unplug from technology: Music therapists are continually multi-tasking in sessions. Maybe this has spilled too much into your personal life. Take a few hours or days to mindfully reduce your technology habits.

10. Indulge in a non-music pursuit: Music therapists are musicians first, but forgetting your other passions beyond music doesn’t speak to the wholeness of your life. It could be crafting, cooking, or something athletic, so long as you’re feeding the non-musical part of yourself.

11. Read some research: There are good blogs out there that summarize music therapy research (e.g. musictherapyresearchblog.com) or dust off one of your editions of The Journal of Music Therapy or Music Therapy Perspectives to read while on the elliptical at the gym. Research is not that scary!

12. Learn that song you still don’t know: Until last week, that song for me was Wonderwall. It feels so good to have that iconic song under my belt! I’m sure every music therapist has a song she or he has been meaning to learn too. Take an hour and get it done.

13. Take a day off: As many as 41% of Americans do not use all of their paid time off every year. If your employer provides PTO, make sure that you’re on track to use it up by the deadline. You earned it! If you find you have extra, take a Monday or Friday off if possible. Unplanned three day weekends are luxurious!

14. Be in touch with other music therapists: Being a music therapist may feel isolating. Reach out to an old classmate from college and catch up over skype or have a jam session with a colleague who lives in your area to nurture these important connections.

15. Seek out music therapy supervision: As a student, I always dreaded getting feedback from my supervisors because I felt it reflected badly on me. As a new professional, I’ve learned that without feedback, you cannot grow. Find or create a peer supervision group for music therapists in your area, or seek out private supervision. Although my supervisor at work is helpful, she comes from a social work background and cannot match the depth I get from my music therapy peer supervision meet-ups.

Whether you incorporate only one or the majority of these ideas is up to you and your schedule, but I hope these serve as inspiration for self-care.

What other ways do you provide yourself with music therapy maintenance?