Ever notice how quickly this question comes up when adults meet? I didn't notice until I quit my 5 year career in social work to explore music. I now find it interesting how strongly we define ourselves by our income-generating activities. For many years I had my speech down. I was proud to be a social worker advocating for victims of domestic violence in a rural community. I was an advocacy-based counselor. I helped run a 24-hour shelter and crisis line, and did prevention programming in 7 school districts. I was the Vice President of the board of directors for the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs and they flew me around for meetings and conferences. I had meaningful, long-term counseling relationships with survivors of abuse. I planned and coordinated Awareness Month events and rallies. I even got to make a documentary with the LGBT teen group I facilitated, and it was featured in a local Human Rights Film Festival. I was good at what I did.
I walked away from my career because I knew that I wasn't living in my truth. I wasn't growing into the person I wanted to be. I wasn't serving the world in a way that allowed me to be authentic and joyful. I've been out of that career and focusing on music for 15 months. During that time I've travelled back and forth from Bellingham, WA to Austin, TX, attended and performed at an independent music industry conference, personally assisted other artists, worked a bunch of odd jobs, attended a coveted annual songwriter retreat, worked on a stage crew, hosted international folk showcases, worked on a festival production crew, toured the west coast with one of my best friends, worked with some of the biggest names in folk music as an artist liaison.
Based on my whirlwind of experiences in my first 15 months in music, truly believe that I can most effectively use my skills for the greater good while staying true to myself as a touring singer/songwriter. I see a vision of my potential when I see folks like Steve Poltz and Phoebe Hunt perform with full body, mind, and heart. They mean every word, fully committing to their truth. They offer their full selves to the performance, and because of this they are successful and draw a dedicated fan base. I want to play at that level. I want to show up and meet people where they are with enthusiasm and curiosity- to act creatively and lovingly in every moment, whether I am playing in a coffeehouse, on stage at a major venue (sold out, of course:), or at a house concert. I believe this is what my life is all about- showing up and being love.
Growing. I'm aware that I have gifts and skills that very few people in this world possess. We all do. I wonder how many of us have found our gift, our truth? I am unbelievably blessed to be aware of my gifts, to have the opportunity to build skills. I'm slowly blooming into my new self. I dream of writing powerful songs that reach a large audience, writing songs for tv, film, commercials, and other artists, and showing up all over the globe spreading positive energy and enthusiasm. I'm not there yet, but I have a lot of amazing friends who are living my dream. I'm making plans, practicing daily, attending to the details in the present, and gracefully stepping into my new life as a professional songwriter and performer. I've heard it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. I have a lot of performance, vocal, guitar, and songwriting hours to get in. If you don't see me often, its because I'm locked away working on guitar, my voice, recording, writing, and reading about public speaking, performance, image, etc. The business side of this music thing is for real!
I'm Doing it!
This is the first time I've mentioned my former career and current work on daisyoconnor.com.
Since I quit my job and began this journey, I've been operating on the "act as-if" philosophy. I've stepped into the music world with all the grace and confidence I could muster, and now I feel ready to be honest about where I'm at. It is the only way I know to grow. I write songs, sing, dance, cook, love, and eco-cleaned houses. I'm currently cleaning 9 houses a week. (Daisy the Vaccuumer says, "Yes We Can!") House cleaning has become my yoga. I breathe deeply, move mindfully, stay present, and love even when its hard. I can think of no better training for a rock star.
If someone were to waltz into my living room right now and offer my pre-packaged dream life , I wouldn't know what to do with it. I say I want an independent, sustainable career writing songs- a home - an active touring schedule- regular new albums- commercial success- exciting collaborations with other artists- non-work related vacations- health insurance- a legit touring vehicle- cool merch people actually want to buy/wear/share- etc. The truth is, I don't know how long it will take for me to grow the career I desire. However, I'M DOING IT! Sure, I clock in every day and clean dirty houses, and come home and do double duty with my music. I joyfully choose this life of radical simplicity and hard work. I know that I'm right on time.
~NamasDaisy
I walked away from my career because I knew that I wasn't living in my truth. I wasn't growing into the person I wanted to be. I wasn't serving the world in a way that allowed me to be authentic and joyful. I've been out of that career and focusing on music for 15 months. During that time I've travelled back and forth from Bellingham, WA to Austin, TX, attended and performed at an independent music industry conference, personally assisted other artists, worked a bunch of odd jobs, attended a coveted annual songwriter retreat, worked on a stage crew, hosted international folk showcases, worked on a festival production crew, toured the west coast with one of my best friends, worked with some of the biggest names in folk music as an artist liaison.
Based on my whirlwind of experiences in my first 15 months in music, truly believe that I can most effectively use my skills for the greater good while staying true to myself as a touring singer/songwriter. I see a vision of my potential when I see folks like Steve Poltz and Phoebe Hunt perform with full body, mind, and heart. They mean every word, fully committing to their truth. They offer their full selves to the performance, and because of this they are successful and draw a dedicated fan base. I want to play at that level. I want to show up and meet people where they are with enthusiasm and curiosity- to act creatively and lovingly in every moment, whether I am playing in a coffeehouse, on stage at a major venue (sold out, of course:), or at a house concert. I believe this is what my life is all about- showing up and being love.
Growing. I'm aware that I have gifts and skills that very few people in this world possess. We all do. I wonder how many of us have found our gift, our truth? I am unbelievably blessed to be aware of my gifts, to have the opportunity to build skills. I'm slowly blooming into my new self. I dream of writing powerful songs that reach a large audience, writing songs for tv, film, commercials, and other artists, and showing up all over the globe spreading positive energy and enthusiasm. I'm not there yet, but I have a lot of amazing friends who are living my dream. I'm making plans, practicing daily, attending to the details in the present, and gracefully stepping into my new life as a professional songwriter and performer. I've heard it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. I have a lot of performance, vocal, guitar, and songwriting hours to get in. If you don't see me often, its because I'm locked away working on guitar, my voice, recording, writing, and reading about public speaking, performance, image, etc. The business side of this music thing is for real!
I'm Doing it!
This is the first time I've mentioned my former career and current work on daisyoconnor.com.
Since I quit my job and began this journey, I've been operating on the "act as-if" philosophy. I've stepped into the music world with all the grace and confidence I could muster, and now I feel ready to be honest about where I'm at. It is the only way I know to grow. I write songs, sing, dance, cook, love, and eco-cleaned houses. I'm currently cleaning 9 houses a week. (Daisy the Vaccuumer says, "Yes We Can!") House cleaning has become my yoga. I breathe deeply, move mindfully, stay present, and love even when its hard. I can think of no better training for a rock star.
If someone were to waltz into my living room right now and offer my pre-packaged dream life , I wouldn't know what to do with it. I say I want an independent, sustainable career writing songs- a home - an active touring schedule- regular new albums- commercial success- exciting collaborations with other artists- non-work related vacations- health insurance- a legit touring vehicle- cool merch people actually want to buy/wear/share- etc. The truth is, I don't know how long it will take for me to grow the career I desire. However, I'M DOING IT! Sure, I clock in every day and clean dirty houses, and come home and do double duty with my music. I joyfully choose this life of radical simplicity and hard work. I know that I'm right on time.
~NamasDaisy