Mel StirlingFans, friends and family – my hope is that you’re all indulging in a well-deserved break and ramping up for another round of the roaring 20s! Yes…a new decade is about to begin and what will it bring? Who knows…but I have a few ideas for 2020 and already have a surprise up my sleeve to release in the New Year so stay tuned!
Surely I’m not alone here but this time of year I find myself reflecting and evaluating the year that was. Actually, right now I’m looking back on the past 10 years because honestly…it’s been a bit of a whirlwind – leaving the military, getting married, moving from Brisbane to London and then finally Los Angeles in mid-2018.
For me, 2019 was a year of adjustment and recalibration. Settling into a new country, new city, new apartment, new job, new friends and colleagues…and the uncertainty of new creative endeavours.
Despite these life distractions, 2019 was the year I independently released my first EP, produced two music videos and a 30-minute live concert, recruited a new band, performed at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go and established Stirling Pictures with my husband, Christian – my relentless source of talent, creativity, patience, support and encouragement over the past 20 years.
Overall, 2019 was good to me and I’m grateful…but it did reiterate a few lessons:
- Nothing will ever be perfect – no matter how much you plan or rehearse some anomaly will throw a spanner in the works and you just have to roll with it
- You don’t have to be perfect – it’s unrealistic and puts far too much pressure on you and those around you
- Paralysis by analysis is real – at some point you have to stop thinking about doing it and just do it already
- Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself – I am my worst critic and need to appreciate the benefits of playing the long game
What are some of the lessons you learned this year? Feel free to share your reflections as you look forward to 2020!