They say musicians work when everyone else is off. Think Friday or Saturday nights, Christmas, New Year’s, Sunday morning rehearsals… you name it. Add teaching at a school, giving private lessons, and preparing for performances, and your life feels like a constant whirlwind. It’s not the kind of job where you shut your laptop at 5 PM and forget about it until the next day. Music seeps into every corner of your life.

So, how do you find balance?

You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Honestly? I am not that convinced. I love music—most of the time. But let’s be real: sometimes, I hate it. It’s not always about making music itself, which is generally enjoyable; it’s “when” and “what” you’re playing. Performing late at night after a long day? Not fun. Tackling a piece that feels like a rushed school assignment? Nope. Repeating the same section for the 100th time? Definitely not thrilling. 

But then, there are those moments. When everything clicks, the music flows, and something magical happens. Those moments are the reason we keep going. They’re not daily occurrences, but they make the grind worthwhile. 

Still, the challenge remains: how do you switch off? 

After long rehearsals, pieces sometimes play on autopilot in my head. Recently, it’s been Verdi’s “Requiem.” Even when I don’t want to hear it, there it is, haunting my dreams. It’s impossible to turn off sometimes. 

Then there’s the pressure to say yes to everything. Especially when you’re starting out, there’s this fear that if you turn down an opportunity, they’ll never ask you again. I felt that way when I first moved to Malta—I wanted to prove myself and took on way too much.

Now, I’m learning to say no. It’s not easy, and there’s always that guilt if I take a day off from practicing. But those breaks are essential. They recharge me and, ironically, make me a better musician. It’s a slow process, but carving out time for non-musical activities helps create the balance I need to keep going. For me especially, traveling and trying something new refreshes my mind and spirit. It inspires me and makes me eager to return to work with renewed focus and fresh ideas.

Also, one of the best feelings in this career has been reaching the point where I can start creating my own opportunities instead of just taking whatever comes my way. When I get to choose the pieces I play, shape how I perform them, and set my own artistic direction, there’s a new level of ownership and satisfaction that feels incredibly rewarding.

Balancing life and music has also reminded me of how much music really means to me. I do know that life without it would be pretty empty , although I know I would fulfil it with something else creative but still it would not be the same. There’s really nothing else I’d rather do (well, except maybe open that cat café I keep dreaming about). 

In the end, this journey is about finding a balance that keeps me both energized and true to my passion. And I’m happy that I’m finally learning how to have more control over what that looks like.