Originally Posted By: travlin'easy
Just a few short years ago, I was real close to burnout. I was performing 7 to 9 jobs a week, well over 400 jobs a year, lots of doubles, even some triples, not sleeping well at all, I neglected (almost everything) ....and I wasn't taking care of myself, both physically and mentally. Every waking moment was dedicated to music.

Now, there are some folks that will say "Well, those nursing home, assisted living, senior center and retirement community jobs are just one-hour jobs. What's the big deal?" Well, those one-hour jobs require the same amount of effort as a three to four-hour job. The same preparation time goes into each and every job. Travel time to and from the job, set-up and tear-down time is the same, billing and collection procedure the same, dress code the same, etc... So, in reality, that one-hour job, when all things are considered, takes about 4 hours at the very least. And, when you have a couple a day, and sometimes just an hour or less between jobs, you really have to hustle.

A schedule like that wouldn't be too bad if I were 52 years old, but I'm not.


Gary.....me either.....(age 52)! Thanks for writing this out. It really gives you something to think about...get your priorities in order, 'cause we DO only go around once, don't we.

Anyhow, that's what I got caught up in and how my "slide" started about 2 years ago. I should have caught it then, but you don't 'cause you still think you're a kid and.....indestructible.

So...I don't feel like such a wimp now. Like you, there were too many jobs...too much time needed for peripheral issues working those jobs.....too much traveling....too much technology to keep up with.....too much practicing and preparation, not enough time to do non-musical things, I'm not 18 anymore, and.....you know the rest.

I haven't played for a couple of weeks now. I'm hoping I bounce back, but, to be honest I'm also thinking about what Don said: "I hope Mark finds the answer that is best for him." I've been thinking about that and "what's best for Mark" and that just might no longer be music. Easing myself into another line of work might just appear on my "bucket list."

.....and, by the way, you said this in your earlier reply:

Originally Posted By: travlin'easy
Nothing said here (on the SynthZone), apparently, is really going to change your mind.


I have to catch you on that......I read what everyone wrote on this thread.....2-3x...and I can't say it hasn't influenced me. So thanks to everyone who gave their input here. It really gave me a lot of different perspectives to think about.

Mark