How Parts language can help you and your emotions
Practicing - challenge...sacred calling...eternal frustration...flow
The theme of practicing has emerged this summer. In a recent class, one participant mentioned the word PRACTICE, and the energy shift in the room was palpable. People leaned forward, wanting to share their strategies, their stories, their victories, their battles with self-sabotage, their ways of coping.
Because, as artists, learning to practice our craft is essential, fraught with trial, and abounding with internal and external judgment.
The practice room, our writing desk, the painting studio – wherever you do your creative work can feel like a battleground.
Coming a-PART in a positive way
So what's the deal with the parts language? I remember when I first started seeing my therapist I said to her, "I'm open to trying IFS (Internal Family Systems), but do we have to talk about Parts all the time?" Even the instructor of my recent Level 1 IFS training would often say that when she was first introduced to the model, she would say, "yeah, yeah, yeah, it all sounds good, but do we really have to talk about parts?"
It's pretty normal to have some concerns about this way of talking. Here are some reasons I think it's worth trying.
[video] chocolate + peanut butter + butter + emotions
After my last blog post, Another F*@&ing Growth Opportunity, a friend asked to see my ratios for chocolate, peanut butter, and butter. I made a video so you can see for yourself.
You may be wondering, 'what the heck does this have to do with being a performer or a creative person?'
Identifying two opposing sides, or parts, in my head led to listening to what each part wanted. Listening and seeing how each part actually wants to help is a major shift and can radically interrupt and stop the spinning arguments in one's head. It's quite amazing.
A year older and it's time for change.
On the wall of my music room is the Holstee Manifesto. It starts like this:
This is Your Life.
Do what you love and do it often.
If you don't like something, change it.
I've been fortunate to do something I love for the last dozen years - making music for my living. But over the last several years there has been a slow internal shift. And this fall I made it official:
I’m changing careers.
I'm letting go of gigging and performing, and focusing solely on Inner Artist Coaching (with a little vocal coaching mixed in).