Day 77: Walls, Lessons, and Letting Go
Some days, the project is a sprint. Other days, it’s about just staying on the track. Lately, the weight of the "middle" has been felt, but today brought some much-needed clarity.
The Cost of a Lesson
I had a bit of a setback with a recent Nashville demo. The vocals didn't quite get elevated to the level I was aiming for, and it was a reminder that to get a track exactly where I want it, I really need to be in the room. It’s an expensive lesson to learn, but a necessary one as I refine how I collaborate moving forward.
The Creative Wall
I’ll be honest: I hit a wall with songwriting this week. The energy felt low, and the ideas felt distant. But after some "low-pressure" tinkering yesterday, I found a spark. I fine-tuned a new track today—musically, it’s exactly where it needs to be. While the lyrics are still a work in progress, I’m leaning into the "Songwriter Demo" philosophy: getting the heart of the idea out there is more important than waiting for perfection.
Mental Maintenance
Between a draining transition to a new therapist and general fatigue, I leaned heavily on my meditation practice today. Using Insight Timer, I focused on a session about accepting emotions and letting them go. In a project this long, managing the internal landscape is just as important as managing the Excel sheet.
Investing in the Instrument
To keep pushing the quality of my vocals, I’ve reached out to a local vocal coach whose style I’ve admired for a while. It’s about constantly sharpening the tools, even when you’re tired.
Catalog Audit:
Current Song Total: 68
New Music: 1 new musical bed completed (Lyrics in progress).
Administration: 4 new songs registered with ASCAP; Excel catalog updated.
Practice: Daily meditation and vocal coach outreach.
About The 2026 Project
The 2026 Project is a year-long commitment to the discipline of daily creation. Throughout 2026, I am writing one song every single day to build a diverse, high-caliber catalog for artists, publishers, and film/TV.
Learn more about the journey here.
Like what you read?
The 2026 Catalog is currently open for select artist collaborations, publishing partnerships, or co-writing opportunities. Whether you need a specific vibe for a project or are looking for a co-write, please contact me hereto get started.