by Lisa Cybaniak
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Are you currently following your passion? Did you think you were until the Coronavirus lockdown? It’s often in difficult times that we are able to see what is otherwise right in front of our faces – we are not happy.
Today we’re talking about how vital it is to be following your passion, whatever that may be, not just in terms of your general happiness and sense of satisfaction in life, but for your mental health.
Millie Manders is the lead vocalist in the band Millie Manders and the Shutup, knows exactly what it’s like to make the realisation that she wasn’t following her passion, and the even more difficult decision to make the sacrifices necessary in order to do so.
Meet Millie Manders
Would you believe that although Millie has had a passion for music her entire life, she didn’t always plan to have music as part of her career, never mind her entire career? That’s right. Millie Manders had to decide to take a chance on herself, ditch her career and lifestyle in order to get a degree, and change her career entirely to ensure she was following her passion.
Millie is outlining the specific strategies she used to take that chance on herself. And in many ways, they are the same strategies she’s using to get through the lockdown, coping with mental health issues.
This is such a powerful episode that will move you on so many levels.
So, let’s dive right in!
It’s time for change
When Millie was working in retail, she got to a point when she realised that although she was a hard working and excelling in her career, she wasn’t passionate about her work. It was time for a change.
And that’s the first step for you – is it time for a change? Are you truly following your passion?
Do you know what your passion it? Do you need to use some of this time in lockdown to explore what that may be, what is required for you to achieve it, or even how you can integrate it into your life with as little disruption as possible? Is that even possible?
Following your passion takes sacrifice
Chances are, if you’ve realised you’re not following your passion and it is time for a change, then there’s going to be some level of sacrifice involved.
Millie decided to get a degree, and to do so had to give up a well-paid salaried position to make next to nothing and eat beans on toast every day, moving out of her single flat into a house share!
Your sacrifice may not be that drastic, but you’ll likely have some sort of lifestyle change to contend with, at least in the beginning.
Sit down and really be honest about what you could and couldn’t live without, and brainstorm ways you can transition from what you’re currently doing into following your passion – these are things that you are able and willing to give up without sacrificing your mental and physical health or causing bankruptcy.
I’ve spoken to many people over the last couple months of the lockdown who have expressed how surprised they are that they’ve done so well with less income, for example. Yes, they had to make a plan on what to sacrifice during this time, and while it was an adjustment the first month, another month later it’s now just habit. Many of them have said they’ll continue this new habit of less spending after the lockdown is lifted.
Find support
There is more support out there than you may think. Between business loans, school loans and grants alone, you could have the financial aspect covered.
However, Millie recommends you chat with your family and friends to see if there are other forms of support available within your network as well. This may include people willing to help with childcare, making meals, or many other things that would take the pressure off you while you are transitioning into following your passion.
Of course, you must be willing to take the support those generous people are offering!
Care for your mental health
Millie and her band, Millie Manders and the Shutup, are very passionate about mental health, with Millie and another band member coping with mental health issues.
Millie herself is at the early stages of treatment, so she is experimenting with what works for her, especially during the lockdown brought on by Coronavirus.
Following your passion is likely to be exciting, but also bring up a lot of anxiety. That’s normal and pretty much expected when you go through a life change.
All the more reason to be vigilant about your mental wellbeing. Millie is learning to recognise her own patterns in how she’s feeling and behaving, to show her what she needs in that moment. That’s something most of us don’t bother to notice.
Millie is also taking comfort in doing something every day that brings her joy. For her, this is playing an instrument, reading, and getting outside for fresh air.
Can you maintain it?
The one thing that Millie is truly aware of right now, is how vigilant she’s going to need to be when lockdown is over, in maintaining her new routine of awareness and joyful activities.
She’s already following her passion, so she’s not concerned about that. But will she be able to take the time she needs each day to focus on what she needs for her own peace of mind?
That’s a question worth asking of yourself – both for your mental health and in terms of following your passion. Coming up with a plan and starting positive habits while in lockdown is great, but do you have a strategy for keeping this up when the lockdown is lifted?
More from this episode
In this episode, Millie and I talk in depth about her struggle with her mental health, the great support she’s found in her band, Millie Manders and the Shutup, and how they’re giving back to mental health charities through the generosity of their fans.
Millie also shares the funny story about how her band came to be named Millie Manders and the Shutup, her progression from solo artist to having a band, and how the guilt over the destructive thoughts we have and comparing ourselves with others affect our mental wellbeing.
I’ll leave you with one question: What can you do today to enrich your life and the life of someone else?
Press play on the episode above to get all the details!
Follow Millie Manders
Follow Millie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. Check out Millie’s website for the lastest information on Millie Manders and the Shutup. You can also listen to their music on Soundcloud.
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Voice over credit: Shari Vandermolen. Shari is offering a free download of one of her songs to the fans of the Life Like You Mean It podcast! Just visit www.GiftFromShari.com and tell her where to send it. Shari’s debut album is available for streaming on all the major platforms including Spotify and iTunes.
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