The other day Dylan was asking me about how I recover and rejuvenate myself. My answer at the time was sleep and, overall, I think that is the best thing for me when I get worn down.
Another thing that really gets me going again is listening to Pat Metheny. I like both his music and his creative process (you can listen to some of his thoughts about the music he creates in his podcast “About The Music” – search for it on iTunes). I know a musician that has met him and he is just as friendly and authentic as he appears in the video I have seen of him which makes it much easier to be fan.
If you aren’t that familiar with his music, check out this video.
My favorite Pat Metheny quote is from a commencement address he gave at Berkeley School of Music in 1996 (he taught guitar there at 19!):
Many times I run into young guys, who want to get a record contract, or a manager, or how to get their music on the radio, and my answer is always the same. And I think that regardless of how much things keep changing or mutating through the years, it will always be the same. And I say this—don’t worry about those things too much. Just go home, try to understand as much as you can about why you wanted to be a musician in the first place, and exactly what it is about music that knocks you out, and practice like crazy on that. And if you can do it about fourteen hours a day, that will help too.
How do you get going again after a beat down?
Time alone.
Time with my kitties – they have good energy and are a source of peace and entertainment.
Meditation.
Time outside in the garden, on a stroll or a hike.
Singing a favorite song.
Funny how all the things that get me going again don’t cost a dime; they are free.