Despite the fact that a substantial amount of people say I can sing, I often don’t believe them. It may be my in-built urge to dismiss any compliments that people give to me, and to try and prove them wrong, or because in my mind I tell myself that I can’t accept that I’m good at SOMETHING. Whatever it is, it causes me to laugh whenever anyone says I’m a good singer, and to only sing around people when I really, really want to or when I really trust them.
Today, I did something that shocked me a little, something I would never expect myself to do. I sang to strangers over the Internet.
Alright, they’re not REALLY strangers. I got added to this group chat on WhatsApp a week ago, with the majority of the people there being blind and teenagers, but from all over the world. So England, Germany, America, South Africa to name a few places. Apart from two people, I didn’t know anybody well; I’d been lurking in the chat for a while and alongside another group, with many of the same members, I’d read messages from the various participants. I didn’t often say much until today, just the occasional “Hi!” or messages to that effect.
I was bored today, and though I should be packing for Thailand, I decided to read what the people were saying on the group. Originally, I didn’t plan to join in, but the conversation turned to music and singing. That, I had a passion for, and so I took more of an interest because I knew that if I talked, I wouldn’t feel like an outsider.
One of the girls from Germany sang on a voice message. As I said that she had a great voice, some kind of urge took hold in me. If she could sing, why wouldn’t I? I still refused to think about it though, the nervous excitement buzzing through my body preventing me from forming any coherent music. Further discussions ensued, with another girl – one I knew vaguely – singing as well.
We spoke about instruments and music, and all through this discussion, people were encouraged by others to sing: “If anyone can sing, why not show us?” I said I would, as a sort of joke, but it was only until people shared how they liked to sing that something snapped. Oh fuck it, I thought. What’s stopping me?
Nothing stopped me but my fear. I took deep breaths, practicing a little before I sent the message. However, I soon realised that even if I DID mess up, it was alright: the exact words I thought were, “You don’t know these people, and you’ll never have to meet them. You’re just another person, who CAN sing, and you should be proud.” The thumping beat of my heart quietened a little.
I sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – you can find a cover that I did of that song a while ago here – shameless self-promotion I know. Because I absolutely love the song, I found it relatively easy to sing: I may have messed up a couple of times, when I couldn’t reach the low notes, but that was down to my nerves.
When I listened back to it, after I finished, I felt strange. For once in my life, I realised that I COULD sing. There was hardly any disgust when I thought that, because I didn’t feel arrogant. I felt, and still do feel, slightly in awe that I managed to get the courage to do THAT.
The response was really positive. It’s rare that I truly thank someone, especially a group of people I don’t know, on a voice message. This time, the “Thank you, that really means a lot to me,” easily passed my lips, and I felt no fear that they’d find me too weird.
These were people who I didn’t know. The people who would listen to my voice message I had not really spoken to before, so to display something that I’m usually shy about to them was stepping hugely out of my comfort zone. Yes, I may have things up on youtube and will sing when people request me to, but I often feel so much more nervous and upset that they’d think I was shit.
Even if it IS scary, do something that you wouldn’t normally do from time to time. You will feel so much better afterwards, more so if it’s something you love.
Don’t let fear hold you back. I wouldn’t do this every day – sing to random people – and once was enough for now. But I know that I CAN do that, if the situation arises, and that I shouldn’t let my worries dictate what I do. If you take nothing else from this post, remember that you’re the one in control of what you do and don’t do.
Singing is something I love. It’s something that’s mine, and I haven’t been doing it so much recently: something I hope to rectify. Instead of shattering my confidence, this situation has boosted it.
I have a smile on my face, and I hope that it won’t fade any time soon.
From Elm 🙂
We told you! You go girl ❤
That you did! Thank you so much 🙂
Yay well done! I’m a singer too, and despite years of people telling me I was good and winning almost every competition I entered (not bragging though 😉 ) I didn’t believe them and thought my medals were just due to luck. I’ve suffered from really bad stage fright and performance anxiety since I was 11 which stopped me from singing for many years, but over the past 3 years I’ve regained a lot of confidence and started entering competitions again (and winning!). It was just a few weeks ago when I had a moment like you had, and realised I was actually good and didn’t need to be nervous anymore: I was away camping for the weekend and got quite drunk and sang all through the night :). Probably not the best or healthiest way to discover this but at least I did it! Congratulations on having confidence in yourself, and does this mean we’ll get to hear more lovely covers from you on your blog in the future? 😉
And I’m so proud of YOU. Well done 🙂 I bet you’re fantastic, and thanks for all your encouragement. And YES, I’ll be singing for you guys at some point soon!
Cant wait!
I’m so proud of you, you are so talented Elm! 💙
Thank you so, so much! That means the world.
That’s fine sweetie ❤
Oh my gosh I am so proud of you!!!!!!!! It is very difficult to do anything in front of people in fear of messing up, but mistakes happen all the time. But the difference between people who are good at something and the people who are not is that the people who are good get back up even when they make a mistake and people who are bad at something don’t. What I am trying to say is that you are GOOD!! Sometimes it takes time to become confident to do something but when you do it feels so great. I am glad you had the courage to share your voice, it is so beautiful, your voice. Keep on singing!!! 🙂
Thank you so much! I definitely will, and it means a lot that you have so much faith in me 🙂
Ive just watched you cover and it utterly amazing.
Aaaahhh thank you!!!
You have a beautiful voice Elm! It’s amazing that you built up the confidence to send your message in the group chat, I would never do that!
Thank you so much 🙂 I was scared, but I got through it. Your faith in me means the world!
That’s awesome Elm!! 🙂 You have a beautiful voice and I’m studying music at uni so you better believe me ahah and the fact that you’re passionate about it too makes it all the better… maybe you should try doing some gigs or performances? 😀
Thank you so much, I really want to! I love it so much, and what’s it like at uni?
No problem! Yeah it’s great studying music at uni cause you’re surrounded by heaps of people who share the same passion and you can bounce off each other all the time 😀
That sounds amazing!
Yay!! Good for you! ❤ 🙂
Thank you!
Fear should never EVER hold you back. Unless, it’s something dangerous where you risk your life. 😉
Now that is very very true! 🙂
Well done! You really are such a good singer! That’s so brave of you to do, I know I certainly wouldn’t be able to do anything like that 😄
Thank you so so much! That honestly means a lot to me. I just thought, why not? If people judge me, that’s their own fault
That’s okay! I think I need to start thinking like that too… I spend so much time worrying about what others think of me 😄
I know I have already commented buttttt….. I have tagged you in a brand new tag called ‘The Summer Blogger Tag’ and you can check it out and take part in it here:
https://emilyclarebeauty.com/2016/08/10/the-summer-blogger-tag/
Thank you so so much!
Way a go gurl!!! Don’t let any stop you from doing something you love ^^
I definitely won’t! Thanks so much 🙂
The cover you sang sounds amazing.
I sing too and I know how nerve wracking it is to sing in front of people or post videos online. Have you ever considered taking singing lessons as since i started taking lessons properly, I started feeling more confident about my voice and I can hear the improvement I’ve made =)
Thank you, Georgie! And yes, I have; I took a few lessons about year ago, I really want to start again because you’re right it’s made me more confident
Welcome 😄
Over holidays (like this summer holiday) my mum teaches me so I still have some work to show my teacher in September. Singing every day really helps my voice to improve 🎼
Yay! Go you! When you’re famous don’t forget any of us! 😂
I won’t be famous!😂 thank you!
ha!yaaaaay for you elm!!
Thank youuu!!
YW
Elm, never let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything. Especially not yourself. Because you can do whatever you put your mind to. Including this, because hello, you’re awesome. And I say that with absolute certainty, because I just listened to it…. YAS. I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU. THAT’S THE POINT OF THIS WHOLE COMMENT. HUGS ALL ROUND.
-Amy
You are one of my fabourite people ever! Thank youuu!!! I won’t let fear hold me back from anything.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww my day has been made. Scratch that. My week. XD
Yaaaay!
Thank you so so much ❤