From Deadline to Discovery
A few years ago, I booked a theatre for a concert of original songs.
At the time, I had exactly one song written.
I’m not sure what possessed me to do that. Courage. Stupidity. Probably both.
But once the date was booked, there was no backing out.
So I wrote.
We rehearsed.
We built a band.
And eventually, we stepped onto the stage.
That night changed me.
It was one of those rare evenings where everything came together.
I felt full in a way I hadn’t felt in years.
That kind of fullness doesn’t come from applause.
It comes from alignment.
But when I walked off that stage, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
I felt full.
Yes, I was proud of myself.
I said I was going to do something, and I did it.
That always feels good.
But there was more going on than pride.
My soul cup was full.
Overflowing.
That kind of fullness doesn’t come from applause.
It comes from alignment.
(You can also watch this story on video here.)
From doing something that lets you breathe again.
Once I felt that, I couldn’t ignore it.
So I started paying attention.
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WHAT ACTUALLY FEEDS US
Spoiler: it’s not the hustle
I stopped paying attention to what looked productive.
And to what I thought I should be doing.
Instead, I started noticing what actually filled me.
What surprised me was how small it was.
It wasn’t just performing.
Because sometimes performing fills me up, and other times it doesn’t.
It certainly wasn’t posting.
Or chasing the next thing.
Or staying busy for the sake of it.
What filled me were simple rhythms.
The things I kept returning to without forcing them.
Creating.
Connecting.
Nesting.
Reflecting.
Exploring.
I started calling them my Soul-Fed Five.
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WHY CONNECTION IS EVERYTHING
What I eventually understood was this.
Feeding your soul is about connection.
That concert filled me up because every kind of connection was present.
I challenged myself and stepped outside my comfort zone.
I connected deeply with my creativity through writing and shaping the show.
I connected with my co-writer as we built something together.
I connected with the band on stage as we listened and flowed together.
And I connected with the audience, fully present in the room.
When those connections lined up, something came alive.
That’s the feeling I’ve been paying attention to ever since.
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THE SOUL-FED FIVE
The Soul-Fed Five aren’t rules.
They’re reminders.
They’re the kinds of connection my soul needs to stay awake and steady.
Create
Connection to creativity and beauty. Music. Writing. Nature. Making something with your hands.
Connect
Connection to other people. Not being busy or social, but being present.
Nest
Connection to your space and your body. Calm surroundings. Small comforts. A sense of ease.
Reflect
Connection inward. Quiet. Stillness. A moment to come back to yourself.
Explore
Connection to courage. Trying something new. Saying yes. Taking a small risk.
You don’t need all five every day.
You just need to notice which one you’re missing.
Because when connection fades, the soul goes quiet.
And when you reconnect, even in small ways, it comes back to life.
That’s what feeding your soul really means.
Watch the full video
👉 [YouTube Link]
Video title: FEED YOUR SOUL | A Singer-Songwriter on Creativity, Courage, and Connection
