I didn’t sleep well last night. And I don’t feel like playing the oboe.
I tried going out for a run. I did indeed feel better afterwards, but still not like playing the oboe.
I tried making a yummy couscous salad for tonight’s dinner. Creating things makes me feel productive, and I love cutting vegetables up, and we had all of these gorgeous fresh heirloom tomatoes and basil from my pianist’s partner’s garden. So that was good, but I still don’t feel like playing the oboe.
I went up to my studio to force the issue. I did a half hour of long tones and scales and felt thoroughly warmed up. When I thought about actually looking at the music I’m preparing, though, I lost interest. Zoe was being awfully cute and distracting, but mostly I just didn’t want to.
Now I’m trying a change of venue. I’m out at my favorite coffee shop eating lunch and catching up on some computer work – website tweaks and emails and work on my promotional materials – and maybe this afternoon during the baby’s nap I’ll try one more time.
But if I don’t end up truly practicing today I will let it go. I’ve been playing well, and one off day never really hurt anyone, and I have absolutely given it a fair shot. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body, or your brain, or whatever it is that is in charge of productivity. This may just not be an oboe day.