Re-Starting Practice
Summer schedules aren’t always the compatible with super consistent practice routines. I am a firm believer that a degree of flexibility is essential to making a practice routine work, and that it’s okay for practicing to look a little different at different times of year. That said, I also know how hard it can be to restart a lapsed practice routine. Here are some ideas for jumping back in after a nice break:
Take time off on purpose. An accidental, open-ended practice break is kind of like taking a nap without an alarm set. You might be a lot better at napping than I am, but both my naps and practice breaks always end up lasting way longer than they should—and way longer than actually feels good—if I don’t give them some structure from the outset. If you know that an upcoming trip or summer camp will change your routine, proactively define the parameters of how long you’ll step away from your instrument.
Make a plan for getting re-started. This part is simple: pick the day you’ll start practicing again and choose an amount of time or a small practice goal that you want to accomplish on that day.
Be realistic! (…this part is not always simple) Your muscles will feel a little rusty if you’ve taken more than a few days off. You may want to start with shorter practices and gradually add time as your muscles get back in shape. Whatever you were working on pre-break likely won’t be as polished as before, and you could find that practicing feels extra frustrating. Frustration isn’t a fun emotion to encounter, but it is one that we can really learn to work through in practice, if we stick with it. Be gentle with yourself, but don’t let frustration stop you from getting back into the swing of things. As always, approaching practice with curiosity, kindness, and mindfulness makes a huge difference, and allows us to handle the big emotions that practice can bring up with a little more ease.
And finally: re-starting a practice routine can be a great time to set new habits! If you’ve struggled with consistency in the past, this is a fresh new beginning and a great time to establish a new routine! If there’s a specific skill or piece that you’ve been focused on, a little time off can bring fresh perspective.
