We’re heading into Thanksgiving week, which always makes me want to slow down for a second — even if it’s just the three sips of a Diet Coke I get before someone yells “Mamaaaa!” from the other room — and take stock of what’s actually good and already here.
This Monday on the Broadway Vocal Coach Podcast, Cynthia and I are releasing one of my favorite conversations we’ve had in a long time. It’s all about gratitude, perspective, and the sneaky ways performers keep moving the goal posts on ourselves. Think of it as a tiny Thanksgiving reflection reset for your artistic brain.
One thing we talk about, and what I can’t stop thinking about, is this idea of a reverse to-do list. Instead of obsessing about what still isn’t done, who you haven’t become yet, or the credits you wish were on your resume… what if you wrote down what you have done? What younger you would lose her entire mind over?
🧡 The roles you have played.
🧡 The teachers and mentors that have shaped you.
🧡 The small-but-mighty steps you have taken in the direction of your dreams.
Honestly, I think my 10-year-old Annie-obsessed self would look at my life now — coaching pro singers, getting to sit across from Cynthia each week, raising two spirited little girls, driving a minivan to Ohio for Friendsgiving (wish us luck) — and think, “WOW. That’s my life?!” And it is!
But wowza, do I still find ways to raise the bar on myself… We all do, right??
This is the time of year when I lean hard on the wisdom of Oliver Burkeman, who quickly became one of my favorite authors this year. I’m currently reading his new book Meditations for Mortals, and it is gently smacking me across the face in the best way.
His whole thing?
Life is happening now. Not when things calm down. Not when the big career milestone hits. Not when the kitchen finally gets renovated or the schedule gets easier.
Right. Now.
And practicing gratitude is usually the thing that pulls me right back into the present. It’s the antidote to “my real life will begin when…” (a thought I have, oh, probably 17 times a day.)
So here’s your pre-Thanksgiving reset homework, if you want it:
✨ Write a reverse to-do list.
List the things you’ve already done that a younger version of you (10-year-old you, or last-year-you) would’ve given anything for.
You may be shocked at how many there are!
You may even feel proud. You may feel… grateful.
We talk through all of this and more on Monday’s episode. I think it’s the perfect listen while you’re traveling, cooking, or hiding from relatives for 25 quiet minutes. 😅
Make sure your subscribed to the podcast so you don’t miss it when it drops!
Wishing you a week full of warmth, rest, and pumpkin-pie-topped-with-a-mountain-of-whipped-cream level joy.
And truly, I’m grateful for you!
Talk soon friend!
Chelsea
