While I Still Breathe

by | Oct 19, 2022 | Stories | 93 comments

When I was 5, my mother forced me onto a stage to get me to sing.

Yes, it was traumatising. No, it wasn’t meant to be abusive. Did it plant a seed that would grow into something that was critical for my growth, character, and motivation for everything I did from then onwards? Yes.

For context, I began singing before I learned how to speak coherently, which obviously worried my parents, because they thought I had a language impairment or a learning deficiency. But they never doubted that I loved using my voice, which was very annoying to them, because while I was loud and persistent, I wasn’t very good at singing (at the time, at least).

While I loved music, I was painfully shy. So, when the opportunity presented itself, my mother plopped me on stage and told me to sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” to a crowd that was at least 500 strong.

Guess what I did next?

If you thought that this was one of those inspirational stories where I miraculously started singing without fear and thanked my mum for pushing me out of my comfort zone, you guessed wrong. Of course I started crying. To my credit, I did sing the song to its completion; it was just a very tearful rendition.

But it did something in me. I don’t know whether it was that I had the innocence of a child, or the fact that nothing else could be more embarrassing than that experience, but I began to be less afraid of using my voice. I began to join singing competitions (and often left without a trophy) and do covers (which I then delete out of embarrassment), and actually actively pushed myself. And I grew.

Fast forward, specifically to the time of the pandemic. By this time, I had already released covers with some friends, took part in writing a couple of songs, and sang at my church almost every Sunday. I had been embracing my talents with all of the encouragement and guidance that everyone around me had so kindly given. But what I hadn’t realised at the time was that I had taken the ability to use my voice for granted. Being a bit of a toxic perfectionist, I would often give myself a difficult time for not being able to attain an impossibly high standard I set for myself, which led to burn out and eventually a disregard for my gift. That was until I caught COVID and lost my voice completely for 2 weeks, and then some.

It was beyond terrifying. I questioned everything that I was placed on this earth for. Essentially, I was experiencing an identity crisis. But it solidified the critical understanding that I had the responsibility to train and nurture what I was given, whether it is opportunity or talent.

Just like how it took my mother pushing me out of my comfort zone for me to start using my voice, it took COVID taking away my voice for me to appreciate what I could do. Sure, I feared failure and crowds, but now I know that nothing is more terrifying than giving up a passion when I still have breath in my lungs. And so while all of this began with someone pushing me out of my comfort zone, I now sing simply because I can.

Post Views: 271

93 Comments

  1. Philomena
    Philomena on October 19, 2022 at 4:30 pm

    All the Best Zoe

    Reply
  2. Hee ling
    Hee ling on October 19, 2022 at 6:09 pm

    All the best

    Reply
  3. Janice Lim
    Janice Lim on October 19, 2022 at 8:50 pm

    All the best!

    Reply
    • Nicholas
      Nicholas on October 19, 2022 at 9:44 pm

      Such an inspiring journey

      Reply
  4. Tiffany
    Tiffany on October 19, 2022 at 9:32 pm

    All the very best !!!

    Reply
  5. Kyt
    Kyt on October 19, 2022 at 10:47 pm

    Go geddit Zoe you got this!!🔥💯

    Reply
  6. Zachary
    Zachary on October 20, 2022 at 9:54 am

    Let’s go Zoe!!!

    Reply
  7. Eleanor Su
    Eleanor Su on March 19, 2023 at 7:54 pm

    Hi gomonsta.asia admin, Your posts are always insightful and valuable.

    Reply
  8. Mike Dettmann
    Mike Dettmann on March 23, 2023 at 11:34 pm

    Dear gomonsta.asia administrator, You always provide great resources and references.

    Reply
  9. Donald Badilla
    Donald Badilla on March 23, 2023 at 11:35 pm

    Hello gomonsta.asia administrator, Your posts are always well-supported by research and data.

    Reply
  10. Therese Holcombe
    Therese Holcombe on March 26, 2023 at 3:48 am

    To the gomonsta.asia admin, Your posts are always well presented.

    Reply
  11. Julie Dey
    Julie Dey on March 27, 2023 at 11:37 pm

    Hi gomonsta.asia administrator, Your posts are always thought-provoking and inspiring.

    Reply
  12. What is Article Forge
    What is Article Forge on March 29, 2023 at 11:08 am

    To the gomonsta.asia administrator, Thanks for the educational content!

    Reply
  13. seo post a comment
    seo post a comment on March 29, 2023 at 11:09 am

    Dear gomonsta.asia administrator, You always provide helpful diagrams and illustrations.

    Reply
  14. Karin Cage
    Karin Cage on April 1, 2023 at 11:21 pm

    Hi gomonsta.asia webmaster, Thanks for the well-written and informative post!

    Reply
  15. comment backlinks seo
    comment backlinks seo on April 7, 2023 at 11:13 pm

    Hi gomonsta.asia administrator, Your posts are always well-written and engaging.

    Reply
  16. Dora Poulson
    Dora Poulson on April 10, 2023 at 8:40 pm

    To the gomonsta.asia admin, You always provide helpful diagrams and illustrations.

    Reply
  18. Website Traffic
    Website Traffic on May 17, 2023 at 12:18 pm

    Dear gomonsta.asia owner, You always provide clear explanations and step-by-step instructions.

    Reply
  19. gate.io
    gate.io on June 8, 2023 at 9:04 am

    I may need your help. I tried many ways but couldn’t solve it, but after reading your article, I think you have a way to help me. I’m looking forward for your reply. Thanks.

    Reply
  20. best investment books
    best investment books on June 9, 2023 at 1:11 am

    Hi gomonsta.asia admin, Thanks for the well-researched and well-written post!

    Reply
  21. webprogrammierung}
    webprogrammierung} on June 9, 2023 at 3:28 am

    To the gomonsta.asia owner, Thanks for the well-researched and well-written post!

    Reply
  23. Majorie Sieczkowski
    Majorie Sieczkowski on June 23, 2023 at 4:12 pm

    This website offers a top-notch tool for anyone interested in learning more about related subjects.

    Reply
  25. Sales Funnels
    Sales Funnels on July 18, 2023 at 5:17 pm

    To the gomonsta.asia owner, Thanks for the comprehensive post!

    Reply
  27. Claudecrymn
    Claudecrymn on August 10, 2023 at 11:38 pm

    where can i buy amoxicillin over the counter amoxicillin without rx – antibiotic amoxicillin

    Reply
  29. CharlesBop
    CharlesBop on August 11, 2023 at 5:02 pm

    drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
    canada drugs online review canada rx pharmacy world
    Generic Name.

    Reply
  35. Claudecrymn
    Claudecrymn on August 12, 2023 at 8:25 pm

    where can i buy mobic pill: cost of mobic tablets – order generic mobic tablets

    Reply
  37. CharlesBop
    CharlesBop on August 13, 2023 at 3:43 am

    Medscape Drugs & Diseases.
    over the counter erectile dysfunction pills: ed medications – non prescription ed pills
    Top 100 Searched Drugs.

    Reply
  47. SEO Backlinks
    SEO Backlinks on August 15, 2023 at 4:06 pm

    Hi gomonsta.asia administrator, Keep up the great work!

    Reply
  60. FreddyPlarp
    FreddyPlarp on August 20, 2023 at 7:31 am

    canadian pharmacy online: canada pharmacy 24h – canadapharmacyonline com

    Reply
  69. RobertHer
    RobertHer on August 23, 2023 at 5:58 pm

    paxlovid price: paxlovid pill – п»їpaxlovid

    Reply
  70. WilliamAwawl
    WilliamAwawl on August 24, 2023 at 8:00 am

    paxlovid for sale: п»їpaxlovid – paxlovid cost without insurance

    Reply
  79. Florian Clift
    Florian Clift on August 28, 2023 at 2:21 am

    Hello gomonsta.asia owner, Your posts are always informative.

    Reply
  84. ZacharySmedy
    ZacharySmedy on August 31, 2023 at 6:48 am

    canadian pharmacy phone number canadian online drugs canadian pharmacy 1 internet online drugstore

    Reply
  86. MichaelFub
    MichaelFub on September 3, 2023 at 1:44 am

    To announce verified dispatch, adhere to these tips:

    Look in behalf of credible sources: https://www.wellpleased.co.uk/wp-content/pages/which-technique-is-the-most-effective-for.html. It’s important to guard that the report origin you are reading is reliable and unbiased. Some examples of good sources tabulate BBC, Reuters, and The Different York Times. Interpret multiple sources to stimulate a well-rounded aspect of a isolated news event. This can better you return a more complete display and avoid bias. Be aware of the angle the article is coming from, as constant respectable hearsay sources can compel ought to bias. Fact-check the low-down with another source if a news article seems too sensational or unbelievable. Forever fetch inevitable you are reading a known article, as scandal can change quickly.

    By means of following these tips, you can become a more aware of dispatch reader and more wisely know the beget here you.

    Reply
  88. Davidgem
    Davidgem on September 11, 2023 at 7:25 am

    Totally! Declaration information portals in the UK can be crushing, but there are numerous resources available to cure you think the best in unison for you. As I mentioned in advance, conducting an online search representing https://www.wellpleased.co.uk/wp-content/pages/what-happened-to-sam-brock-nbc-news-the-latest.html “UK hot item websites” or “British information portals” is a great starting point. Not only will this chuck b surrender you a thorough shopping list of communication websites, but it will also lend you with a heartier understanding of the current news scene in the UK.
    Aeons ago you obtain a list of imminent story portals, it’s important to estimate each sole to shape which best suits your preferences. As an benchmark, BBC Intelligence is known benefit of its ambition reporting of information stories, while The Trustee is known representing its in-depth opinion of governmental and popular issues. The Disinterested is known pro its investigative journalism, while The Times is known by reason of its business and funds coverage. By way of entente these differences, you can choose the news portal that caters to your interests and provides you with the rumour you call for to read.
    Additionally, it’s usefulness all things neighbourhood pub scuttlebutt portals because fixed regions within the UK. These portals lay down coverage of events and scoop stories that are relevant to the area, which can be especially accommodating if you’re looking to safeguard up with events in your town community. In search event, provincial communiqu‚ portals in London include the Evening Paradigm and the Londonist, while Manchester Evening Talk and Liverpool Echo are hot in the North West.
    Overall, there are tons tidings portals readily obtainable in the UK, and it’s important to do your experimentation to remark the united that suits your needs. Sooner than evaluating the contrasting low-down portals based on their coverage, style, and article angle, you can select the individual that provides you with the most relevant and engrossing despatch stories. Esteemed fortunes with your search, and I anticipate this bumf helps you discover the correct dope portal since you!

    Reply
  92. DanielDouro
    DanielDouro on September 23, 2023 at 8:50 pm

    https://interpharm.pro/# online pharmacy no presc
    canadian drug co – interpharm.pro Their flu shots are quick and hassle-free.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *