Are you waiting too long to feel like you again?

One of the things that brings me most joy in life is singing in a choir. In my 20s I was lucky enough to sing with one of the big London choirs. I got to sing in the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican to name just a few. And with some incredible orchestras and conductors. There were moments when I sat there thinking someone pinch me, this can’t be happening!

When I moved back north I spent ten plus very happy years singing with my town’s choral society. Then, life got in the way. As my consultancy business took off I was away for 39 weeks of the year which meant I couldn’t attend rehearsals. I really missed it but work came first.

Fast forward to 2025 and I’d had enough of putting joy off. With all my surgery finally behind me and after a second cancer diagnosis I wasn’t prepared to keep waiting. I’d managed to sing with a local church choir occasionally but it wasn’t the same as the joy of weekly rehearsals learning and performing those big choral works I love. 

So, in February I went along to my old choral society’s annual come and sing day. I was really nervous. I saw this as my chance to show the conductor that I'm good enough to be able to miss half the rehearsals because of work and still be able to keep up. Luckily for me my old friends from the alto section insisted I sat on the front row with them so I was literally under the nose of the conductor. 

The day started, I began to relax and I threw myself into it. During the afternoon break various conversations were happening about me. And just before the performance I was invited to rejoin the choir even though I would miss every other rehearsal as I still work away.

I cannot tell you the amount of joy that has found its way back into my life since that happened. I’d forgotten how incredible singing with a large group is. How uplifting it is to sing beautiful, powerful music together and how, when you’re singing you can’t think about anything else. Between reading the notes, the words, the dynamics, listening to those around you and watching the conductor there is no room in your brain for any other thoughts. It’s the ultimate mindfulness activity. I even enjoy the hours I spend at home or in my room when I’m away practising on my own.

Disproportionate joy is what I call it. The ability to relax me, turn my mood around. The sense of accomplishment. I sang in my first concert with the choir in April and realised it was 11 years since I’d last sung in a concert with them. That made me a bit sad. Sad that I’d wasted all those years when I could have been so joyful. But then I remembered – work, a pandemic, cancer and gave myself a break! What matters is that I’m back. Back with my friends, back doing something I love and feeling the joy.

Where in life are you putting off what you know will bring more joy into your life? What decision would bring you a disproportionate amount of satisfaction and pleasure? Life’s too short to keep waiting for it to work itself out.

If you’d like a helpful nudge to get you moving towards a more joyful, aligned life then my Reclaim Your Power Hour is for you. These hours aren’t going to be around forever. I’m offering them for a limited time so now’s your moment. Make a small investment in yourself and create disproportionate joy! Here’s the link you need.