i was a theater kid growing up. i loved it for a long time, it felt right to express myself through song and dance, but it felt like such a chore when i got older. i hated the idea of performing something i couldn't relate to and doing things that felt so incredibly mundane and uninteresting. truly, i had lost my real voice trying to do whatever everyone was telling me to.
last night, i had the opportunity to sing live in front of a live audience for the first time in four years. it was incredible. i got to share with complete strangers a song that means so much to me, in an outfit and a makeup look i designed all by myself, surrounded by 8 other amazing performers. it was the most genuine, fufilling and vulnerable feeling i've experienced in so long, and it was so cathartic. i felt respected for what i love doing.
all that is to say: it's corny, but it's worth it to push aside the opinions of others and just do whatever you want. people really do crave the vulnerability in that.
thanks for listening :)