https://www.biancamflute.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-03-29 https://www.biancamflute.com/blog/tips-for-the-artist-in-limbo-entry-eight monthly 0.5 2026-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/71aa9879-7fae-4fd4-8488-608d179d6d1f/Entry+8+Meme.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artist in Limbo: Entry Eight - Four Ways to Turn Reflection Into Progress https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/ccef311c-54fc-4bd5-b584-1439f223ee47/1.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artist in Limbo: Entry Eight - My last entry focused entirely on building an intentional pre-performance ritual. Your “Pre-Game Ritual” is all about execution, but what happens immediately after the performance is where the real growth begins. I want to open up the conversation around how you reflect on a performance - and not just in the surface level sense of saying, “It went well!” or “That was terrible.” While those reactions are are completely valid in the moment, once the adrenaline has worn off and you return to work, there is a great opportunity for you to dive deeper. True reflection involves looking closely at how you executed under pressure, how you responded to the environment, and how external feedback can help to inform your next steps. Here are four ways to level up your performance through thoughtful and intentional reflection: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/993eee02-57d3-4ac6-92e4-49a2a1c7df6e/2.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artist in Limbo: Entry Eight - First comes the stage that is almost entirely driven by emotion - and that’s okay! I'm talking about the moment right when you step off the stage or out of the audition room, when your immediate reaction hits you. This response matters more than you might think, because it can shape how you interpret the entire experience later on. I say, try not to be overly critical of yourself right away. At the end of the day, you just accomplished something significant, and it’s important to recognize that. Convincing yourself that you’ve completely failed the second you walk off stage isn’t really realistic or helpful. Take 5 minutes to identify one moment you loved, and then one area where you feel you could have been stronger - highs vs. lows. When you are addressing the “low”, keep it factual rather than emotional. There’s truly no such thing as a perfect performance and, more often than not, your strong moments strongly outweigh any mistakes, especially from the listeners point of view. An equally important step is accepting that the moment has passed. What’s done is done, and there’s no changing how things played out. Allow yourself to appreciate what you have accomplished. Remember that your motivation shouldn’t hinge on the outcome of an audition or a performance, but instead on how you choose to utilize the experience. Focus on the controllable - how you adjust and go up from here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/d9d22a7f-e646-40ed-83de-93d14c0cf2dc/3..png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artist in Limbo: Entry Eight - Let’s imagine you’ve return to the practice room and you are trying to figure out your next steps. This is when you can shift into a more objective mindset. Take the emotion out of it for a moment and review the facts. What went well? What technically missed the mark? I’ve talked about this before - separating your self-review into two categories: mental and physical. How did each part of you react under pressure? If you lacked a bit of confidence during the performance, it’s possible the mental side overpowered the physical, and nerves led to mistakes on stage. On the other hand, if you felt underprepared, that points to a physical gap specifically in preparation. Give yourself a grade for each category and, be honest. If numbers on a scale are what makes sense to you, give yourself a score out of 5 or 10. Or, simply give yourself a “pass” or “fail”. This may feel a bit over the top, but using a clear system like this helps keep your thoughts organized. If this is a situation where you received feedback (like an audition) gather your scores and carefully review any comments. Identify any patterns in the feedback. Do you notice the same type of comment recurring? Highlight these as priority to focus on in your practice. If you were able to record the performance, take detailed notes! The goal of this step is to make sense of the situation, clarify the results, and understand why things turned out the way they did. You’re essentially dissecting the performance to learn from it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/09a9b713-02f3-4dd3-9981-74b55c2b2d03/4.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artist in Limbo: Entry Eight - Now’s the time to turn results into action. Take your analysis of the feedback (both positive and negative) and create clear, actionable steps to adopt into your practice routine. For the skills you’re already strong in, keep refining them to maintain that level of excellence. For the areas that missed the mark, give those techniques focused attention for a set, measurable period of time. It’s important to track your progress! Keep a journal and consider asking for feedback from trusted mentors or peers to see if they notice positive change as well. One common mistake I notice I make is summarizing on-stage mistakes as a signal that I just need to practice more. But that is a never ending cycle - you technically could always spend more time practicing, but that is not necessarily an effective or measurable approach. I’ve learned that a smarter strategy is to adjust how and where you practice. If most mistakes are mental, for example, create more mock performance situations: play for peers, perform for a mentor, or record your individual practice sessions. These targeted adjustments make your practice much more productive and results-driven. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/af684170-6f3e-40c8-9b93-4758ef669349/5.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artist in Limbo: Entry Eight - Every performance or audition is not just a one-off experience; it is a step in the right direction. The more experience you gain executing, the better you become. But growth also comes form how you interpret results and feedback. It might feel a little like being back in school if you’re grading yourself or analyzing every detail of a performance. But if this is your craft, it’s most helpful to not dismiss a performance as “just another day on the job.” Being a creative means using every moment as a learning opportunity - a chance to level up. The time you spend reflecting is there to ensure you grow intentionally and avoid repeating the same patterns. https://www.biancamflute.com/blog/tips-for-the-artists-in-limbo-entry-seven monthly 0.5 2026-02-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/159ae37e-e7ad-490f-85ae-f50941a6e4bb/title+art.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Seven - Establishing Your Own Pre-Game Ritual https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/a6ce29e3-c741-4267-8998-e8071d1b1bc1/1.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Seven - Many of us move through daily rituals without ever labeling them as such. Your pre-work ritual might be timing your subway commute just right, stopping at the coffee shop outside the station, and knowing it gives you the perfect window to grab a to-go bagel and walk into the office moments before your first meeting. A pre-going-out ritual might look like a shower, a full skincare routine, trying on every possible outfit, spending an hour on makeup, and putting on jewelry only when it’s finally time to walk out the door. When most people think of rituals, though, they think of sports. Athletes are famous for their wacky, deeply personal, and time-tested pre-game routines. While some may lean into superstition, many of these rituals are intentional practices that help ground focus, confidence, and performance in the moment. As creators, we’re not so different from athletes. Both paths demand discipline, consistency, and an unwavering level of focus. And if you’re a seasoned athle- I mean, creator, you already know the routine that’s proven, time and time again, to be your own version of a good-luck charm. Let’s talk about practicing like an athlete. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/6406da83-78c6-4e86-acec-8987b5da7b02/3.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Seven - I break my warm-up into two distinct categories: physical and mental. Caring for these areas separately is essential for me - trying to tackle everything at once often creates more anxiety. Moving slowly and intentionally through my checklist allows me to stay grounded and fully focused. In music, I find that many people overlook the fact that we need to warm up physically in order to feel warm mentally - the two are connected. I always begin with stretching my arms, neck, and shoulders. These are major areas where tension, pain, and stiffness tend to accumulate. As a flute player, stretching these muscles is just as vital as stretching your legs and hips would be for a runner. Next, comes breath work. This not only prepares my lungs to take in deep, efficient air as I begin to play, but it also helps regulate my nervous system. I have pretty intense performance anxiety, and without intentional breathing to slow my heart rate, I’m going to continue feeling shaky and unfocused. Last, but not least, is nourishing my body. This is something I strive to do daily, not just as a pre-performance ritual. Before any high-stress moment, it’s especially important to eat well and stay hydrated. Both cognitive function and physical endurance depend on it, and when you’re stepping into a big moment, your body needs this type of support to carry you through. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/fa5dbdcd-e601-4cf0-96ae-46b0a16e439b/4.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Seven - My personal preference is to transition from my physical warm-up into my mental warm-up - though you may find it works better for you to reverse the order. For me, mental preparation is far more effective once my body feels grounded, flexible, and steady. If I’m still feeling stiff or shaky physically, my mind struggles to completely settle. I begin by visualizing what’s about to happen. Whether I’m heading into an audition or a performance, it’s something I’ve done many times before. I can’t know for sure exactly how this moment will unfold, but I calm my nerves by reminding myself of this simple truth: I’ve been here before many times, and I’ve succeeded many times. I picture myself walking out, playing with confidence, and doing what I already know how to do. This visualization really helps normalize the experience and quiet a lot of the unnecessary worry. From there, I affirm to myself that there is a very real possibility (likely even a probability) that things will go well. I know what I’m doing! Reframing it this way leaves my mind with very little room to spiral and instead encourages my success. I make a conscious effort not to over-dramatize the moment. This is not something to fear or hype up - it’s simply another day of picking up my flute and playing well. The world will keep turning and the celebration can come afterward. Finally - and most importantly - I unplug completely. If I haven’t already, I silence my phone, put it away, and take off my Apple Watch so there are no buzzing distractions on my wrist. For the next few hours, my online world does not exist. It will absolutely still be there when I’m done. What matters to me now, is protecting my focus and avoiding anything - texts, notifications, social media - that could reintroduce stress or doubt. During this time, nothing else is competing for my attention. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/17e78542-feb0-446b-b46f-eb9e4627fcb7/5.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Seven - Now that I’m physically and mentally warmed up, it’s time to get down to business. This moment is about going for it - trusting and delivering all of the work I’ve already put into preparing for this event. From here, I move into “drills”. I run through my technique routine with a focus on control, relying on the repetition that I’ve built into the routine to reinforce discipline in both my fingers and my breathing. I’ll also touch my repertoire, but only to spot-check. The day of a performance, I never to run it straight through. Call it superstition, but it feels like tempting fate. I believe that doing a full run-through of your repertoire, speech, or routine right before the real thing is a big no-no. On the day of a major performance or audition, I choose to trust that the work I’ve already done is enough. I’ll jump around to check particularly technical passages or tricky lines, but the full run I reserve for the stage. After all, the last thing you want is to tire yourself out right before it actually counts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/582004ee-8a3e-4327-9728-fc89d256fe55/6.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Seven - This is the final 5–10 minutes before you step out there. It’s time to activate. It may feel a little silly, but it’s necessary. Whether you say it silently to yourself or look in the mirror and say it out loud, you need to give yourself permission - and a command - to do what you do best. Fully commit to this moment. Accept that you are about to walk out with confidence, focus, and passion. You know how much work has led to this day. This is not the time to doubt your preparation, question your readiness, or hesitate. That work is already done. Now is the time to trust it, turn it on, and execute. Activate the moment. https://www.biancamflute.com/blog/tips-for-the-artists-in-limbo-entry-six monthly 0.5 2025-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/3e962361-d98c-4567-929e-f1f8a77ec9a3/CU+Entry+Six+Art.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Six - Setting Meaningful Goals for The New Year https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/6d6b9ef5-8aeb-45a2-8410-b195bad5f528/CU+Entry+Six+Instagram+Post+Cover.PNG Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Six - If you’ve decided to read this post then I think it’s safe to assume that you are currently planning your 2026 rebrand. Same! We both enjoy dreaming about the future and what can, should, and will happen. But…with this being a safe space, you have to admit that, at times, thinking of structure can feel sort of boring. You may find yourself throwing caution to the wind and telling everyone that you are “going with the flow”. When in reality - we both need a little bit of structure if we are looking to gain a little bit of control over what does come. So, let’s go ahead and make sure that this year’s upgrade is one for the books. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/28c6d74d-2583-4272-aaf2-ca691a40fc6b/1.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Six - Let’s just get the hard part out of the way. I’m not saying we need to wallow in our shortcomings or come down on ourselves, but in reality, every elite athlete studies their game film—not to relive their mistakes, but to ensure that they make better plays the next time. That’s where the TOUGH LOVE really comes in. In order to level up, you need to reflect on this last year in detail. What did you achieve and get to celebrate? What got forgotten or neglected on your list? Is there an achievement that wasn’t part of the original plan, but - SURPRISE! - you can now write in and then promptly cross out? Trust me, it feels pretty good to be honest and admit that you didn’t complete XYZ simply because you were too overwhelmed - or whatever the reason is. It’s not a weakness, it’s almost like a weight lifted off your shoulders. And then on the flip side, don’t forget to celebrate your wins! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/5187c4e7-5c86-4c59-93d7-6752808e542f/2.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Six - Time to create your fresh list! Go ahead and crease the spine of your new journal on a fresh page and let your thoughts roll. This step you don’t have to overthink at all. These should be thoughts coming straight from the heart onto the page, with no regard for reason…yet. Think big! I know that felt pretty good and you are probably feeling anxious about getting started as soon as possible. But, taking small steps towards your big, long term goals are the most helpful, so now is the time to comb through your list and consider how exactly you are going to work towards everything becoming a reality. Do you remember learning about S.M.A.R.T. goals in grade school? Yeah I know, I didn’t think I’d ever really revert back to this either, but you do have to admit it is a pretty fool proof way of structuring your thoughts as an adult, without overcomplicating things. It helps the process feel more real and attainable and basically removes all of the guesswork. (S)PECIFIC (M)EASURABLE (A)TTAINABLE (R)ELEVANT (T)IMELY Fill in the blanks for every goal on your list, and remember: tough love. Be honest, it won’t work if you beat around the bush. If you find that you aren’t able to fill in a blank, it’s possible that what you are imagining isn’t clear or trackable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/80de543f-6520-4e95-8155-d03df9e77d2c/3.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Six - This is my favorite part of setting a new goal - actually conceptualizing it into my real day to day life. Think of these new habits as the stepping stones to the ultimate objective. The long term cannot happen without current cumulative actions. Again, you are looking to make a change but within reason. Don’t give yourself the goal of going to the gym 7 days a week if you don’t have access to a gym all 7 days. It may be more effective to broaden the end goal to staying active seven days a week—spending four days in the gym and two days outdoors walking or running. Some examples include: I want to apply to 20 new roles by April —> I will submit 2 applications every Monday. I want to post 48 short-form videos on my social media by the end of 2026 — I will post one video every Monday. I want to complete one professional certification by November — I will study 45 minutes every Tuesday and Thursday evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/55e56854-8dc0-481f-8b51-f43ef983f2c6/4.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Six - I often hear people associate goal setting with stress, but it’s important to remember that this is not meant to cause worry. I feel like it’s very easy to slip into a pattern of immense pressure, a fear of failure, or potential burnout from ill-conceived targets. Planning is only the first step, but in reality there’s going to be ups and downs and unexpected events, whether positive or negative. So begin the process without tying completion to perfection. Consistency does matter, but an honest reassessment can be just as powerful. If along the way you feel that you’ve given something an honest try and are still somehow missing the mark, don’t give up on the work altogether. Repeat the first few steps using what you’ve learned so far and create a plan that better fits you. The most rewarding part comes when you allow yourself to put yourself and your aspirations first. Make sure to celebrate all wins along the way, big or small, and don’t hold yourself back from evolving - possibly even beyond what you envisioned on New Year’s Eve. https://www.biancamflute.com/blog/tips-for-the-artists-in-limbo-entry-five monthly 0.5 2025-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/c87ec082-a597-47db-913d-1ae617a91505/Entry+Five+Art.png.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Five - Navigating the Application Season https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/602401bb-46e2-46d7-abe8-47be8ee5c7d1/2.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Five It’s officially the end of the summer! Which also means…..it’s unofficially Audition Season. Oddly, no matter how old you get, that adrenaline feeling like you have a lot to decide (and fairly quickly) never quite goes away. Whether you are applying for college programs, competitions, or training orchestras, the majority of major artist applications do occur in the fall and in person requirements take place in the spring. You should enter this season with a strategy in place to safe yourself a lot of scrambling and confusion later on and a more enjoyable process. This entry is all about tips to help ensure that your strategy can present you with opportunity! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/bb4b5d78-3fe1-4eb7-bd2a-6e2747c19740/3.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Five Most younger artists don’t realize that this is actually a super important part of the process; and in my opinion - is the most important part of deciding which applications you will move forward with. Don’t ignore this step, because at the end of day, if you can’t pay for the application at the time of submission then you have completed all of this work for nothing. Application fees are notoriously EXPENSIVE. And depending on how prepared you are for that fact, you may have to shorten your wish list at the moment. Definitely make sure you are paying attention to application fees as well as any fees related to utilizing rehearsal spaces and fees to pay your accompanist! Once you have finalized how much you are looking to spend, you are able to prioritize which applications you want to submit this year based on your budget. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/04a52a10-7a12-4cec-a124-9585807dba68/5.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Five Now that you have your finalized list of applications - the next step should be marking ALL relevant deadlines in your personal calendar. If you are applying for schools, it is pretty typical that the application process is broken down into a few stages. Each stage has a different deadline, plus, there are some perks to applying prior to an “early bird” date - such as a discount on the fee! Ensure that you set digital reminders for these deadlines. I personally enjoy using a digital calendar in general for this reason, that way I can have a number of reminders pinging me throughout the process and stay on track. Lastly, schedule your rehearsals in the space that you would like to record your materials in. I think it’s best to have at least one “dress rehearsal” in that exact space so that you become familiar with the acoustics and are not caught off guard the day you need to record. If you need to use accompaniment for the final product, get those rehearsals on the calendar as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/6bcf1481-bddc-4ab9-a225-528ab42957fc/4.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Five Now, it’s time to make a list of all required materials for all applications. Typically there are a number of small excerpts or sections required that you do not want to forget about, so writing this down in a personal list is most productive. Additionally, note where there is some cross-over. Lean into the instances where there is a commonality across all applications, like a piece that is required for all. These instances are especially convenient for you to save time in your preparation! Next, organize your list in order of priority. What I mean by this is, not everything is going to need the same amount of dedicated practice. For example, in the flute industry, the Mozart Flute Concertos are asked 99% of the time in auditions. If you are actively auditioning, then you might not need to woodshed the Mozart as much as you may need to on an orchestral excerpt that is not commonly asked, or entire piece that you’ve never played before. This is where having a strategy really comes in handy. Don’t begin your work on the materials without some sort of plan in regards to what currently needs your most attention. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/1b303799-00b2-4f8f-ab66-c1468042a47f/6.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Five This next step is very important, as now you have to make sure that your communication is on point. When you are involving other artists in your applications, it’s key that they have all information as early as possible. Ensure that they have been contacted in an appropriate amount of time prior to the deadline. If you are having trouble thinking of someone who would be a good fit, don’t be afraid to ask your colleagues for recommendations. Once you have secured an accompanist, send them the materials right away! They are busy as well and might also be in preparation for their own applications, so having your materials earlier will establish great communication from the beginning. Lastly, schedule your rehearsal and dress rehearsal dates with them EARLY, as well. (As you’ve probably caught on by now, being early is the name of the game.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/2ba47af1-7736-4374-9758-4971d67a43ec/7.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Five Now that you have locked in your list of applications, secured an accompanist, and logged every important date on your calendar, you next must have an honest conversation with yourself - commit to the process! Yes, planning is very important, but if you don’t mentally commit to this process then you may still be compromising how successful your applications turn out to be in the end. This can be a very intense time of year, so along the way, make sure that you are also taking care of yourself. Don’t deprive yourself of rest or a little bit of fun periodically in order to get through it. But also make the promise to yourself that this is something that you want to achieve and, like any goal you set, commit to seeing it through! ~Bianca https://www.biancamflute.com/blog/tips-for-the-artists-in-limbo-entry-four monthly 0.5 2025-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/686a4d3a-a143-42ac-a066-da67d3311d71/CU+Entry+Four+Title+Art.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Four - Tackling “Stage Fright” as a Professional https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/8e10821e-8468-4cb5-8913-9474049412ea/2.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Four We’ve all seen it on television before - an individual steps out onto a dark stage, one single spotlight on them. The faces in the audience are barely visible in the light but you can tell that the house is packed. The artist puts the microphone to their mouth, and then they just freeze. Nothing comes out of their mouth and they look like they can’t move. They may stutter or, in the worst cases, just run off stage while the audience starts murmuring with confusion or concern. Sound familiar? For most people, this is what you probably think of when you think of Performance Anxiety. You may know it better as “stage fright” or “choking”. But, does it mean anything deeper than just a heartwrenching storyline in a movie or TV show? Do professional performers actually feel those symptoms or is it just a myth? The answer is yes, yes they do! But, it looks so different for each person. In actuality, the majority of performers, public speakers, or athletes have dealt with performance anxiety at some point in their careers, usually documented in early life. However, though it is not talked about often, for some people that anxiety never goes away despite their success. It doesn’t matter how often they perform, they feel as if they are constantly battling these debilitating anxiety symptoms that are ironically linked to doing something that they love to do. But, there is some good news! It is arguably not talked about enough, but performance anxiety as a working professional is extremely common. You are not alone, you may just need to learn more about what you are feeling, how that has changed the more experienced you become, and how to remedy those evolving symptoms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/3a061fbf-5bff-4187-9f8f-af53e00d86ce/3.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Four Performance anxiety can manifest itself in many different forms or a even a combination of forms. I think of anxiety manifesting in three basic ways: Cognitively, Physically, or Behaviorally. Physical - symptoms may include sweating, shaking, increased heart rate, tensed muscles, and labored breathing. These are some of the easier symptoms to immediately identify. Though you are subconsciously aware that they are anxiety induced, it can be hard to holistically manage these physical symptoms in real time under pressure. Cognitive - symptoms may include worry, negative thoughts, fear. These may or may not exist outside of the stressful environment as well. These may come up in the days or weeks leading up to a big event or may sporadically occur in general throughout your life. Behavioral - symptoms may include avoiding opportunities, disinterest in discussion of the event, an overall avoidant mentality, self deprication. Having one bad experience with performance anxiety may cause you to want to avoid talking about your upcoming events or completely avoid pursuing the activity altogether. For me personally, it helps to organize my symptoms into these categories so that I can more easily identify what exactly I am experiencing in the moment, and more productively move forward with a remedy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/ba81c4db-3237-4631-81a9-c6b536d425de/4.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Four I personally have been dealing with various levels of performance anxiety for as long as I can remember playing my instrument. At this point, I am very aware that it most often stems from a tendency to compare myself to others who are in the environment with me, usually in a competitive environment like an audition. But, for some performers, perhaps there was one stressful experience that occurred in the past and that continues to “haunt” them in their career now. In that case, your remedy may require a deeper understanding of why that event was so traumatic for you. What kind of worries are linked to that event that you feel like you want to avoid in your current performance experiences. Or, perhaps you experienced immense pressure from someone in your cirlce, like a teacher, mentor or a family member. So much so, that you feel that pressure come down on you mentally every single time you perform. If you are able to link it to a single experience or time in your life, make sure that you find a way to confront that trauma in a healthy way that works for you. Maybe look into talking to a therapist to gain a better understanding of the phsycological effects and how to gain more control of how your present body reacts to those triggers. For those similar to me, who may not be able to link their anxiety to a single event in their life, but more so have consistently felt these symptoms: I believe you could most benefit from, first, normalizing what you are experiencing. I had to accept the fact that this was a natural reaction that I have to performing in front of a crowd or in an audition, and with acceptance alone, I had already gained a small bit of mental control over my anxiety. Acknowledging that it is a part of me helps me to diffuse my cognitive reactions to performing and shift my main goal to remedying the physical symptoms that I experience instead. Finally - for those who may be feeling a little caught off gaurd with your performance anxiety symptoms, because perhaps you have never experienced this feeling before now, that is normal as well! There are so many things that life can throw at us as artists that can seemingly “out of the blue” begin to trigger anxiety symptoms in you. Events like winning a new performance job, beginning your studies in a new degree path, or performing for a different scale of audience are all valid triggers. And let’s not forget - the COVID-19 pandemic has changed perspective for A LOT of creative arts in the industry, let alone the mentality around performing. It is quite interesting how the fact of the pandemic making artist jobs more scarce has created this undocumented pressure on artists today. Some performers are experiencing this type of anxiety for the first time post-pandemic, as the feeling that audition mistakes are more costly and vying for performance jobs has more pressure surrounding it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/ba0a8ef3-2c25-4c06-a3a8-8a529be741d9/5.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Four Now that you have done some work to better understand your symptoms and the root cause, you can start the work to regain control of your craft. Knowledge really is power! As I mentioned, familiarizing yourself with studies on performance anxiety and, essentially, knowing what to expect can really help at this stage. One thing that I try to practice in all aspects of my craft, but especially in a high-stress environment, is to shift the focus off of me and on to the task at hand. Think of this moment as an opportunity, or your duty, to portray the art to your audience. Even in instances like an audition - stop thinking of auditions as moments that can go wrong and instead think of them as opportunities to display all of your hard work and talent. That sounds easier said than done, but if you work on this mentality in your day to day practice, it will become second nature once you are in front of an audience. Your high pressure situations may not come across to you as anything other than exciting opportunities to create art. This positive mentality also requires you being more present in the moment. Don’t let your mind go down the road of “what if’s” and negative outcomes. Worry about today - what do you need to accomplish today in preparation for what is coming up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/e9409a21-c260-4db8-a098-15ee68f1792a/6.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Four Being validated by someone saying “you aren’t the only one” or “I feel that way too”, is such a great feeling. It is a shame that, for most, performance anxiety isn’t openly talked about more in an educational environment, but as you grow professionally do know that it is indeed a shared experience. As we can conclude, performance anxiety is not only reserved for the early years in your craft. There are plenty of respected professionals who experience multiple symptoms no matter how long they have been working, and have been able to successfully manage them throughout their careers. In her 2023 memoir “My Name is Barbra”, Barbra Streisand pins her early experiences with stage fright to her work portraying Fanny Price in “Funny Girl” and how, after forgetting lyrics during a performance she had in Central Park in 1967, she avoided performing in public for decades after that. She explains that her experience with a co-star of “Funny Girl” putting a continuous pressure on her, instilled a fear of performing. And guess what - Streisand became, and has continued to be, one of the most respected American singers and actresses, despite her battle with anxiety, and has thankfully shared her experience in her memoir to remind her audience that she is human. Manifest more positive outcomes, become more prepared for what you may experience in the moment, take control of the situation, and continue to enjoy creating art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/df25c88f-0f65-4850-ba9d-37e8552d6c61/7.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Four - Article Sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/barbra-streisand-book-memoir-stage-fright-dates-back-to-funny-girl-new-memoir/ https://www.salon.com/2023/11/07/barbra-streisand-memoir-revelations/ https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/subjects/2024/05/reducing-musical-performance-anxiety-students-awareness-of-mpa-and-coping-strategies-to-help-your-classroom/ https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/how-to-overcome-performance-anxiety https://www.biancamflute.com/blog/tips-for-the-artists-in-limbo-entry-three monthly 0.5 2025-04-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/ea3f2db3-b119-43ef-a0bf-e97cdbf60412/CU+Entry+Three+Title+Art.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Three - Adulting inYour Creative Field https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/d9f82882-182e-45b4-96ae-9a6a4a41317c/2.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Three - Congratulations - you have just graduated from school and can officially commemorate all of your long nights and hard work into an exciting future ahead! You have all of this momentum, a slew of ideas, and an abundance of talent, but what EXACTLY do you do now? It may sound like a silly question, being that you’ve probably spent the last couple of years working with a specific goal in mind. But for some people, maybe your only goal was to be incredibly successful, even thought right now you may not know exactly what success looks like for you. When you officially leave the “safe space” that is arts school and take your first couple of steps as an official freelance artist, your goals are still there, but are are seemingly obstructed by all of these new responsibilities. Maybe graduating means your Assistantship or Fellowship is ending, so you’re now thinking that you need a full time job. Or, graduating means that you are moving to a new city, for a variety of reasons, and you will be leaving behind the network that you spent years building while in school. The truth is, a lot of these decisions are completely normal and most times necessary as you make this transition in life, but regrettably they also can make you feel as if you are sacrificing your artistic progress in some way. Luckily, there truly are a number of ways that being a freelance artist and adulting can work in tandem - and blossom into a very fulfilling future ahead! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/338f1e9b-e282-4b1a-abf5-13e869e4d30a/3.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Three - The first, and I believe most important task, is to remember to keep all of your options open. Understandably, you probably have a big long term goal in mind at all times and are tempted to believe that achieving this, and only this, will be the ultimate way that you are deemed successful in your career. But, that is just not true at all. There truly isn’t ONE way to be successful, despite what may be the “standard” or “typical” path for people in your field. A real perk of the arts fields is the fact that our skills are incredibly versatile. There are a number of different avenues that you could venture down with the skill set that you have, and you may be immediately limiting yourself upon graduation. So, I say - set MULTIPLE goals. Visualize it - your goals are a pyramid, and put that huge long term goal at the top of the pyramid. Then, sprinkle in some short term goals beneath it to kind of keep you busy in the meantime and to ultimately lead you to that fabulous long term goal. I’m highlighting this because, in my experience, if you don’t allow yourself to be open in those years immediately after school, and turn down prospective opportunities because it doesn’t directly correlate with your long term goal, you can become fatigued and start feeling unfulfilled as an artist in the present. I now believe in supplementing your time with building other important skills, and becoming versatile. It’s the same reason that people say you should have multiple streams of income to supplement your expenses. You need multiple streams of artistic expression in order to supplement the blueprint of your aspiring career. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/fa339770-9a03-4052-a62e-8b1d76340c09/PAGE+FOUR+REVISED.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Three - We are in 2025 and officially in a time where social media holds significant power in networking and business management. Now that you are a graduate, you have to start thinking of yourself as a self made business! Getting on the most popular social media sites like Instagram and TikTok is the best way to advertise yourself. And I don’t mean posting here and there on your personal page, I mean create a fresh new profile specifically for showcasing your craft. Spend time thinking about how exactly you want to format your page, and be creative in curating content. It feels like a lot of work at first, but once you get into the swing of things, you will grow a lot faster than you think. Before you know it, you will connect with like minded artists from across the country simply because you found each other on Instagram. The way I think of it is: if I’m going to be on my phone as much as I am, I might as well take care of some business while I’m at it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/56824b7c-16d1-4aef-b9cf-5d6648e3b757/5.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Three - You have probably heard this a million times at this point and, if you are anything like me, are most likely a tad overwhelmed by this concept! I don’t have to explain too much how crucial networking is at this point, but why does it still feel so daunting and scary? The idea of putting yourself out there in that way and being a tad aggressive about getting your name out there can be a little bit of a nightmare for someone who is not completely extroverted. So, with that being said, you might have to find ways to network that are a little less “on the nose”. As mentioned in the previous slide, I believe that using social media as a networking tool is an introverted creative’s dream. I don’t have to directly talk to anyone everyday, and can just post myself playing or musical updates and because of the nature of the platform, you are networking by doing so. But, you also have to be seen. So be a little brave and every once in a while get off of your phone and get out there into real life. That could be by attending community events or performances, free masterclasses, or taking a lesson from a professor. The next slides dive deeper into those options: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/7c679ac2-3bda-4f96-9895-c498923f920c/PAGE+SIX+REVISED.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Three - Being a freelancer means that you probably have already been approached by various community groups for gigs and other opportunities even while you were in school. But let’s say that you move away from the town you went to school in and find yourself in a new area and trying to find a foot into a new gigging circuit. The best way to start introducing yourself to the gigging circuit is to attend and participate in community performances! In a place like New York City, there are SO many amazing community ensembles that are extremely dedicated to providing artistic events for their local community. I have met so many amazing musicians in the community orchestras I have played with, and have even gotten some great paying gigs out of connecting with some musicians from those groups. It is an opportunity for people to hear or see your skills and build a relationship with you. Plus, even if you don’t have the capacity to participate, it is so rewarding to support those local groups and attend their performances. Nothing keeps you more motivated and inspired! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/0ac170c0-49bd-430b-b5e6-8ae8125d1294/7.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Three - When you were in school, you most likely had the capacity to dedicate a lot of early mornings, late nights, or midday sessions to your craft as needed. You were probably able to be pretty flexible with that depending on the day, and would adjust your schedule all of the time. Just know that your dedication will not have to change at all once you graduate if you are serious, but for some people, your practice sessions just may look a bit different depending on what your responsibilities are now. For example, a lot of people, like myself, decide to work a full time job once graduating. That requires 40 hours of your week, smack in the middle of the day from 8am-5pm, that I cannot practice or really dedicate a lot of brain power to my craft. That leaves maybe the night time as your only time alone; and after a long work day, may not feel like the most appealing way to spend your night. The quicker that I came to terms with the fact that my practice sessions are going to have to look a bit different, the easier balancing both became for me. In school, I may have been able to spend a whole hour and a half just on warming up and practicing scales. But with my schedule now, I may realistically only have three hours a night total to practice before I basically fall asleep standing up. So, I had to adjust the way that I approach practicing. Instead, I dedicate 30 minutes to warm up, and I change my method of doing so to make sure that I am still hitting all my bases, just in a shorter amount of time. Or, maybe I used to spend a whole hour on one excerpt just because I was able to, but now I have to set a timer for 20 minutes only to spend on each excerpt if I want to get to everything. The positive? By doing so I am actually training myself to better prioritize my time and improve the methods that I use to practice to be able to get it done well in a shorter amount of time. This overall takes practice in itself, and would definitely vary from person to person. But, I believe that every artist (musicians especially) should have variations of what a practice session looks like depending on the task, so that you feel prepared with whatever amount of time that you are presented with on any given day. Think about if you were to be given only 10 minutes in a warm up room before an audition when you were originally promised 20 minutes. How would you be flexible yet still feel prepared to audition in 10 minutes? This rule of “knowing HOW to practice” is ultimately beneficial for all kinds of situations! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/1fe063ac-d12f-4b97-8b4a-a4adaceec3db/8.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Three - I think that we can all agree that the bottom line for this entry is: don’t be afraid of branching out into your community. Get on social media and find out about all of the different events happening near you (some are even free) and set a goal of attending a certain number in a month. Dedicate time to researching these events and find what aligns best with what your goals are. Attend a masterclass as an audience member OR even sign up to participate! Go support those community ensembles and attend one of their performances. Sign up for a conference or seminar to learn more about your industry. Attend festivals. The opportunities are virtually endless, you just have to stay organized and intentional with how you approach everything, and you will truly make the most out of your first couple of years “adulting” in the real world. https://www.biancamflute.com/blog/wcna19ub1t03epb4mpie46r1txxhlg monthly 0.5 2025-04-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/efec07f9-b558-4968-8a7a-25aa3cc3ed90/Blog+Promo+Card+Template.png.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Two How to Take Advantage of Your Motivation Window https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/72ff778e-3afa-4b0b-9537-d3f3caf5986b/CU+Entry+Two+Page+One.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Two Picture this - you are minding your business, having as normal a day as ever, when suddenly you see something that makes that imaginary light bulb above your head instantly flick on. All of a sudden, a brand new idea is on the tip of your tongue. Or, maybe you went to see a performance, and in the middle of the final piece you feel your imagination running wild. You can’t stop thinking about what it would be like to be in that person’s place, or to play any part in what you are witnessing right now from the audience. What do you do now? Well, believe it or not, this can be a very tight window of opportunity. The overwhelming feeling of inspiration and motivation to create something new, can be a phenomenon that sticks with you beyond that unforgettable moment and that you never forget, OR, worst case scenario is that it can be gone just as quickly as it appeared. All because you never followed up with yourself on why exactly that moment resonated with you so much. This is how I would encourage you as a creative to take more of an advantage of your “Motivation Window”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/f93402b3-7e89-48e3-bede-cf0ec73ed5f2/2.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Two Let’s imagine that a special, one night only performance that you attended is what has sparked this window of motivation. Usually, you are feeling the tingling sensation of creativity linger in your body once you get home, the day after when debriefing with your friends, and maybe even a week later when you are reminiscing. Furthermore, you can’t shake the fact that you caught yourself at one point telling yourself - I want to do that so badly. Well who’s to say you can’t? Don’t take this as anything less than a perfect opportunity for you to create a new goal for yourself. There’s a reason that you feel this way, and frankly as a creative you should live for moments of inspiration like this. Be a visionary and take some steps in your career based on this feeling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/9f746cc2-1928-4c48-b03d-45a3ecd973d4/CU+Entry+Two+Page+4+%28FULL%29.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Two Yes, this is very exciting! Maybe this is after weeks or months of a creative block and now you can’t believe that you finally have this great idea. But, don’t go to the opposite end of the spectrum and enter a stream of consciousness without stopping at some point to create a reasonable structure. What I mean is, if you are serious about this, then take a second to breathe and organize your thoughts. This is something that you feel passionately about making happen, so you want to be smart. Start with the WHAT/WHEN/WHERE/HOW of it all. WHAT exactly is your goal? You should be able to summarize this in one sentence. If not, then you need to break it down into multiple goals and complete the next steps for each of them individually. WHEN do you want to accomplish it by? WHERE can this happen? Is it something that you can accomplish in your current environment or do you have to consider a change? HOW are you going to achieve it? Think of your current resources and skills and what you may need to obtain in order to be successful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/1906e2d8-5f9f-41f9-b412-f630464d9ab6/3.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Two This is a sneaky part of the process that likes to intrude on our nice, happy moments - doubt. Ugh, don’t let that little voice in the back of your head find it’s way to the forefront next to your shiny new goals. Now is not the time to start shying away. Remember, at this point you have considered the What/When/Where/How of it all and have completely organized your thoughts. If this was truly something you were not capable of completing, you would have caught that by now and adjusted. Plus, you have most control over what your career can be - don’t forget that you have that power. Take a moment to remind yourself of the skills, education, and resources that you possess that make you more than qualified to start this project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/fa32c1c8-5aae-4be5-8d9b-8817b050f05c/5.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Two This new goal may be something that you have never tried before, which honestly, is even better! Uncharted territory can be the most exciting, truth be told. But if you are aware that this may not be your strength, don’t just push forward. Do your research! Knowledge is power in this scenario, because you are starting from scratch. So, be sure to reach out to your friends, colleagues, mentors, or make new connections and ask for all of the information and advice that you need to move forward. Maybe someone in one of those categories is even willing to guide you through the process beyond an initial conversation, and possibly assist you in making this happen. You never know unless you take the initial step of reaching out! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/87f1f7a2-bcd5-4ce3-b3f4-2f2cd3a7bf38/CU+Entry+Two+Page+6.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry Two And lastly, whatever you do, and whatever happens in the end, never forget what it felt like to be suddenly inspired. Being a creator comes with the need to be original and the ability to basically invent your own path in life. These moments of inspiration are crucial in keeping us going. If, after all of this thought and consideration, your big idea still turns out to be a flop, just know that you still gained something from this process - the feeling of excitement you’ve had and, importantly, the motivation to seek out your next big window of inspiration. https://www.biancamflute.com/blog/blog-post-title-one-5x464 monthly 0.5 2025-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/1740606023676-TR950OEX64C9PITPT241/163460D2-B1D6-423F-A8D0-2B336E02E8A4.jpeg Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry One - Ways to Pull Yourself Out of a Creative Slump https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/cafd30ea-d7d3-43af-9e4c-89aa5fb63319/Flute+and+the+city+-+2.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry One - A true “slump” can make you feel a lot of different emotions. The feeling that you know you need to get the things done, and you know how to get the things done, but the passion or spark has temporarily gone missing somewhere along the way. As we all know, that is a foundational part of being a creative! Without the passion or inspiration, we have a hard time finding the purpose in anything we do. I would argue that the hardest part of pulling yourself out of that slump, is trying to pin point which emotion or combination of emotions you are currently battling. That’s why I think of that as Step One. It’s a great way to break ground and decide how you want to move forward. Try to slow down your thoughts and give yourself a chance to really think about what exactly you are feeling. Then, move to Step Two-Four. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/9201c0cd-6366-4ef7-8e87-80636ccd612c/Flute+and+the+city+-+3.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry One If you have decided that your slump is most likely due to plain exhaustion or “Burn Out”, then great. Now you know that what you really need is some rest…but, is it that simple? If you are a busy body and used to stretching your limits with lack of sleep or are not prioritizing sleep, it can be really hard to reign that in and convince yourself that rest is as important as you getting everything done. I particularly struggle with this concept. I often deal with the feeling that there are just not enough hours in the day, and that I MUST be falling behind on something, right?? But, after recently discussing this topic with my Mom after expressing to her how tired and anxious I was at the time, she said to me “how you do expect to get any of that done if you don’t have the energy or battery life to do it at all?”. That really snapped me out of it, and now I literally repeat that question to myself in my head whenever I am caught convincing myself that I’d be fine with minimum sleep this day or that day. Long story short: sleep is extremely important, more important than most creatives want to admit, AND even more important than you completing your to-do list. Just like your phone that you loyally charge every night, show the same loyalty to your own recharge and get some rest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/c255c6bc-9a6b-4d4a-a366-98158666f5c2/Flute+and+the+city+-+4.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry One Okay so maybe the emotion you are feeling is not that you are tired, but that you are just extremely frustrated. Frustrated with your progress, frustrated with your methods, or just in general feeling pretty defeated in your craft. I don’t know a creator who has not experienced some level of frustration repeatedly. But again, this is another chance for you to slow down and take a moment to be honest with yourself - what exactly is the source of the frustration? The answer “everything” is not really valid in this case, because it is usually always SOMETHING specific. Is it a particular piece you are practicing? Is it an audition that is looming or a recording due soon? A lesson that didn’t go as well as you’d hoped? Whatever it is, just admit that it frustrated you, and, is still bothering you now if it has already happened. Then, let all of those feelings out! I feel so much better once I unload everything I am feeling with a good friend or family member that I know will listen and just be a sounding board for my thoughts. Usually someone that understands my situation at least a little bit. Then, once you’ve admitted what specifically is the source and have verbally expressed it all, now you need to actually do something about it. Find a new way to complete the task that may ease the pressure off of you for the next time and beyond. Alter your methods of preparation, or stretch your timeline for that recording that was due, or the next lesson that you have, etc., so that you feel better prepared and most importantly, relaxed. Then, move to Step Four. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/75bcd2dc-b4a0-4ade-8fdd-471a955199f6/Flute+and+the+city+-+5.png Creator-Undecided - Tips for the Artists in Limbo: Entry One - Step Four: Remember the purpose. This is the bottom line - the common denominator in all that we experience and battle in this industry - you have to keep your eye on the prize and remember the purpose of all of this. It sounds cliche, but it really does help to remember why you are putting yourself through all of this trial and error. It’s for a really, really good reason I can guarantee! You have a passion, a goal or set of goals that you have always wanted for yourself, AND the determination to succeed - you have all of the tools, but that doesn’t come without some highs and lows. Right now you are just at a low, and that’s okay. The important thing is that, instead of wallowing in it, you are taking the necessary steps to help yourself out of it. Also, remembering that this “slump” is temporary, it’s all mental, and can possibly be remedied with one or all of these steps and more. Maybe sign yourself up for an event or conference in your field. Or, make time to grab coffee with a colleague/friend - someone with similar goals and interests and that same passion. You also can look for some new exciting opportunities in your field that you haven’t tried yet or were maybe too scared to look into, to get your creative juices flowing again. It’s up to you! https://www.biancamflute.com/this-month daily 0.75 2026-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/1d0f32fb-dd55-490f-a788-4723d374cdc8/THIS+MONTH.png https://www.biancamflute.com/this-month/brio-artist-collective-storytelling monthly 0.5 2026-03-21 https://www.biancamflute.com/this-month/blue-hill-troupe-ruddigore-or-the-witchs-curse monthly 0.5 2026-03-21 https://www.biancamflute.com/this-month/the-queer-urban-orchestra-of-rage-rememberance monthly 0.5 2026-03-21 https://www.biancamflute.com/this-month/xse4af3j3sz5k4z4fn7ij1fqqo346r monthly 0.5 2025-10-12 https://www.biancamflute.com/this-month/blue-buzz-the-new-conductors-orchestra monthly 0.5 2025-05-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/670eccda2453fd5075c01a6a/89d41fee-f075-40f9-859b-07a7b106af92/nco+logo.png THIS MONTH - Blue Buzz | The New Conductor's Orchestra - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. 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