Why I make time for music every day

In my growing-up years, the only thing I could do slightly better than kids my age within my circle was sing. Singing helped me make friends and significantly improved my language skills. While books and movies are generally considered great enablers for learning a language, listening to various genres of Western music helped me become fluent in English. Had it not been for music, I would have struggled with the English language after growing up in a small town in Kerala until I joined college and moved to a bigger city. Today, the English language forms the base of my work. Why did I want to attend college in Chennai and study at Madras Christian College? The answer is simple: music. Singing and music, in general, have played a crucial role in shaping who I am today.

However, around the time I finished college, pursuing music full-time wasn't an option. I wasn't entirely confident in my abilities, and my family needed the means to support me. Looking back, I'm thankful it worked out this way. I took a different career path and picked up new skills. And that helps me earn a decent living, too.

But did I leave music behind? Not. I feel incomplete if I don't spend time with music. You might wonder how I balance a full-blown career, a family, and my passion for music. It isn't easy, but it's manageable.

So, how do I manage to juggle work and music?

• Being around people who know music better than me keeps me motivated. Joining music theory classes recently is a perfect example. I see kids who are probably 20 years younger than me knowing much more than I do, and that's a sure motivation booster. Practicing with my quartet is another eye-opener in improving my learning curve.

• I stopped using social media. I deleted Instagram and Facebook apps from my phone. Though it's a recent decision, I've already started seeing how much time I save without checking social media. I save a lot of 5-10 minutes every hour or so without those apps on my phone. It also helps me focus on what I want to do rather than seeing what others do.

• I practice at least a few lines, review my music theory workbook, or watch music-related videos whenever I have 5-10 minutes. This could be while waiting to pick up my wife from college or between office meetings. Sometimes, I repeatedly listen to tracks I want to learn while walking or running. These days, I don't have the luxury of a lot of free time, so I try to be focused as much as possible.

• Recently, I have slowly started learning the art of saying 'no.’ It's never been easy for me, as I've been a people-pleaser most of my life. Now, I realize that I need to start saying ‘no ‘to have the time to do what I want.

• My family knows what keeps me sane and relaxed. It's neither sleeping long hours nor hanging out. So, when my wife tells me to take a break from work and chill, she advises me to take it easy but sprinkle in a bit of music to avoid the boredom of doing nothing.

Why do I want to make time for music even on the busiest days?

• For me, it feels incomplete without music in some form on any given day. As someone said, there’s always a kid better than you, and that’s true! There are zillions of people better than me at music, but it's still important to me because it helps me connect with myself. I'm not doing it to prove anything but for my happiness.

• Creative influences come in handy at work, too. As a writer by profession, I realize that as I climb the career ladder, I will need a more comprehensive understanding of creative influences.

• I seriously look forward to life after my active workdays. I hate to call it retirement, but that’s what I mean. Music is at top of my priority list, and I pursue it with much more zeal than now. I shouldn't feel regretful that I gave up music entirely and chose a different career path to pay my bills all my life.

• I'm much more serious about music than a few years ago. I want to rub off that creative influence on my son, too. While my wife is the one who has gotten him interested in books, the best way my son and I connect is by singing or listening to songs he likes. I'm sure the memories of singing together while I take him on my two-wheeler to his daycare will be cherished forever. He may not want to pursue music later in life, but I want him to experience and see the opportunities ahead as he grows.

I repeat, but it makes me feel incomplete without music. What makes you think that way? It's important to feel that way about certain things in life. It will keep you going no matter what and give you a purpose in life.

What’s the music in your life?

Too often, we let the music fade away, drowned by the noise of responsibilities and the pursuit of financial stability. But as this blog reminds us, it’s not about avoiding the traffic on the way—it’s about holding on to the beauty waiting at the hilltop. Life’s journey may not always offer the scenic route, and success isn’t just about being dealt the perfect hand; it’s about playing whatever hand you hold with intention and heart.

So, what’s in your hand? What keeps your rhythm alive? If you’re feeling out of sync, let this story inspire you to rediscover the music within. And if you need a little help finding that beat again, DareAhead coaches are here to guide you. All you have to do is reach out.