PRACTICE!!! (the love and pain it brings)

Edited: January 15, 2026, 5:22 AM · What is the cause of the inability to practice / or the inability to begin to practice?

I've been meditating a lot lately and have come closer to peace with my inner world, through this I have realized that I am genuinely in love with art, music and the violin, and that I would not be able to live without it.

I like to think of practicing as a way to showcase the love I have or rather a place I can channel the love I have into.

HOWEVER

Why is it that despite the love one has for their craft they are unable to bring themselves to practice? The thought of practicing makes me feel uncomfortable and I often get quite impatient during my practice for no reason whatsoever! I have the time to practice and I have the space to practice, but it just feels so uncomfortable! Getting into the right mindset BEFORE practicing helps with this but it's still a recurring problem.

I am pursuing the violin professionally for tertiary education and am trying to find and heal the wounds that are holding me back from reaching great artistry. I am still thinking about the cause a lot and I have a suspicion...

So my question is… Why is that the case? Is there any point in trying to understand why? Should we just find ways to ignore it and grind it out?

What are all your experiences / thoughts regarding this topic?

Replies (2)

Richard Pairaudeau

January 15, 2026, 4:47 AM · Hi Richard! Your description of the feelings that arise in the time before starting, and during, practice are likely to be echoed by many on this site. I recognize them in myself, though my violin situation is quite different from yours: I'm an amateur and retired.

One suggestion to help you get started: I also play the recorder and do a lot of singing, and when I KNOW I should do some violin practice, I deliberately start on one of the other activities. After five or ten minutes I can say to myself "Ok, that's enough. Now the violin." Give this idea a whirl!

Jeff Jetson

January 15, 2026, 5:23 AM · Since you are looking for advice will say it sounds like you have to force yourself to do this whereas practice is a part of my life that gives me great joy. Since you have the time make a commitment to start a routine where you play scales for 15 minutes in the morning and etudes for 15 in the afternoon and hopefully after a couple months of this repetitive practice it becomes a ritual in your life that makes life more exciting. In time strive for 2 to 3 hours of work to be the best you can be. Just my perspective since you seem to be looking for a little push.

PRACTICE!!! (the love and pain it brings)

Replies (2)

Subscribe

Laurie's Books