Tristan: Why I work so hard - you!

This week, Tristan reflects on the fan response to her being ill just prior to her album being released. The support was shown in chat rooms and emails. That goodwill from her fans was evidenced in the singer’s album debuting in Billboard’s Top 30.

Current mood: Chill
Category: Life

I’m gonna make this short and sweet, cause I gotta get up at 6 a.m. But I just wanted to thank everyone for being so nice and understanding and sending warm wishes to get well soon.

I was just writing back this person by the name of ‘cheese’. Hah…you guys are funny with your display names…anyhow they said ‘hope you are feeling better…’ to which I replied,

“Honestly, I think sometimes when we start doing something, and do a lot of it, in my case, singing/traveling/music-ing…nonstop, sometimes we get to a point where we forget why and what we are doing. It is important to have time to regroup, re-balance, re-energize and get re-inspired. So we can continue to head down the path, with the purest and clearest intentions. I think I just hit a wall of exhaustion and stress and non stop everything.”In return, when our bodies are worn down, is when they usually start giving out. This is the best and easiest time for your body to catch a cold, or in my case, lose a voice. When we are stressed, we are weak, and the areas in which we are pushing ourselves, tend to be the first to go. After having a minute to just chill out, read a book, do some yoga, and not worry about doing something related for music, even for just this day. I am feeling much better.

I just wanted to share this with you guys, ‘cause I think this is pretty much what I have gathered over the last couple days. It’s important to take time out of our days for ourselves. Whether its five minutes or 20, early in the morning, or after a long day. The little time will go a long way.

I just did yoga in my hotel room, something new I am trying, I hate those darn DVD’s, so hard to get motivated, but I am feeling the benefits even though it was short and sweet. I think for most of us, we worry about taking care of everyone around us. Its rare we actually do something for ourselves, and while buying a new pair of shoes is nice for yourself, the takin’ care of yourself I’m talking about, is entirely different — to each there own though.

But I really am finding that, especially in my case, making time to do the things that remind me of me, and what my life is like when I am home is important. I am so used to surfing, training or walking with my mom or my best friend. I eat a crazy healthy diet and like to cook and read and hang on the couch. I like mellow nights at home. To go from that to being in a van for most of my day, in a new city every night, different hotel room, meeting all sorts of people, eating potato chips and crap ‘cause there is nothing else, is not exactly my idea of fun. Sometimes it makes me wonder what the hell I am doing this for.

And so I have to ask myself, ‘What am I doing this for?’

Well…I am doing this cause I love to play music, ‘cause I know how its affected people and i know its capabilities of touching people. I know that if I open up my heart and mind, I will learn so many things out here on the road. Things I could never learn by going back to school or simply getting married and living the good life. Simply put, I do this because I am in love with music and being able to play it every night. Music creates a vibration within me that I don’t get from anything else I have ever done in my life. (Surfing comes pretty close but that’s a different kind of buzz.)

So over the past could days I have realized that I have to create the balance for myself. Because there will always be tours, interviews, recording, traveling and other demands that take up my time. Its up to me, to say ok, I gotta figure out something that I can work in. For the sake of having a bit of time, to just go away in my head from everything, and get re-centered.

I think first off, the fact that I am aware of this, is a good first step. I got some yoga videos and i know now that exercise even if its just 15 minutes of stretching in the morning, or having the boys pull over and let me run after the van for a couple miles, is worth it. I also realize that it’s important to eat healthy, even if that means Googling the local health market, waking up early and packing a little lunch for the day.

As a performer and a singer, and I think any of us, we want to feel the best we can feel day in and day out. I know for me, when I am getting some exercise and eating healthy it shows. Our bodies are temples. We must learn to treat them with care and love. What we put in them, affects our minds, our ability to learn, our skin complexion and overall appearance, and our overall well being. I swear if you make just the tinniest changes, you will see huge differences.

Hopefully all this enlightenment, will lead to no more cancelled shows for a very long time. I am feeling better and I am ready to get back out there. More inspired than ever, and I hope you are too :)

We’ve got a record out people!

A NEW RECORD! HOLY COW!!!!!

I can’t even believe it!!! Finally!

Smiles,

TP