Hey Lifelong Guitarists,

We've all been there – staring at our guitar, feeling uninspired, stuck in a rut. You know, the usual suspects: lack of new ideas, feeling stagnant, etc. Honestly, that stuff is super easy to fix. But today, I want to talk about a rut that's often overlooked, a sneaky one that can really throw you off your game. 

I recently went through this myself, and it was a real eye-opener. As someone who prioritizes health – regular exercise, nutritious meals, homemade green drinks, etc. – I found myself slipping. Life got busy, routines went out the window, and those healthy habits? Well, they took a backseat. Green smoothies became 2 daily protein bars, and gym sessions turned into short walks and long sitting times.

The result? My energy plummeted, my mood tanked, and, surprisingly, my guitar playing suffered. I mean really suffered. I even started questioning my abilities, which is something I haven't done in a long time. It wasn't about a lack of inspiration or new ideas; it was about feeling physically and mentally gone.

Here's the kicker: I didn't connect the dots at first. I blamed lack of sleep, stress, you name it. But I got a ton of sleep day after day and felt worse and worse. Then, it hit me. My body was telling me something, and it was reflected in my playing.

After a few days of getting back to my healthy routines – real meals, green smoothies, exercise, NO protein bars – I felt a noticeable shift. Not just in my energy levels, but in my playing too. Suddenly, those tricky solos that felt impossible a day before flowed effortlessly.

The takeaway? Your physical and mental well-being directly impacts your guitar playing. It's not just about practicing scales or learning new songs. It's about taking care of yourself.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Physical Health: Are you eating well? Getting enough sleep? Exercising regularly?
• Mental Health: Are you managing stress? Taking time for yourself?
• Emotional Well-being: Are you maintaining healthy relationships?

Think about it:

• If you're feeling sluggish and unmotivated in your daily life, chances are, that's going to show up in your playing.
• Conversely, when you feel good, you play good.

More Truth:

• Don't underestimate the power of healthy habits.
• Pay attention to your body and mind.
• Sometimes, the best way to improve your playing is to take care of yourself.

It's easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of guitar playing, but remember, it's all connected. So, take a moment to assess your overall well-being. You might be surprised at how much it impacts your music.

Keep playing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep taking care of yourself.

Until next time,

Andre Fludd Lifelong Guitarist