The most important things that you can do TODAY to show your voice some love
I see voice teachers all over social media saying things like, “Here’s how to love your voice!” or “Try this magic hack to love your voice!” And to be honest…loving our singing voice is not always an easy thing; I don’t think that there’s a magic hack or shortcut to loving your singing voice. In my experience, appreciating and loving my voice has come from choosing actions that demonstrate love and care for my vocal instrument. To put it simply, by taking care of my voice, I’ve built trust and appreciation for it.
While I encourage everyone to find what works for them, here are some things that I do to show my voice some love and appreciation:
I pay attention to physical cues and don’t ignore troubling symptoms. This might sound diva-esque, but if I’m experiencing severe allergies or hormonal symptoms that cause my voice to feel less than great, I take extra care when it comes to using my voice. I reduce my singing practice a bit, and am especially mindful of how I use my voice while speaking & singing. This may seem like such a simple tip, but you’d be surprised at how many people will “push through” when it comes to illness, allergies, etc. I’m certainly not saying that you can’t sing while dealing with these kinds of ailments—good vocal technique can take you a long way, and I teach/sing all the time when I’m faced with allergies, etc—but mindfulness is key.
When practicing your singing, don’t focus only on what needs improving—recognize what’s successful as well! While it’s great to spend time on your vocal growth, obsessing over always improving your singing can blind you to the things that your voice does well. Think of your voice like a friend: you certainly wouldn’t give your friend a laundry list of all the things that they need to be improving upon! Treat your voice with the same respect you’d give to someone you love.
Have fun! One of the best things you can do for your voice is to have fun using it. Put on your favorite song while driving to work or doing your homework. Belt out a song of your choice in the shower, and enjoy the physical act of singing your heart out. Whatever you do, don’t forget to have fun. Singing should be a way to express yourself, and it shouldn’t be too serious! When we bring joy into our singing, we can recognize the thrill that our voices bring to our lives.
These are just a few of the things that I do to show my voice some love, and I encourage you to find more ways to build trust in and love for your voice. My hope with these suggestions is that they show you that you don’t need to repeat “I love my voice” to yourself a million times to appreciate your voice. Even small actions like these can build a stronger relationship with your voice!
Interested in creating a better relationship with your voice? Come join us in the Curious Singer Membership and start your singing journey today!
