Community Reactions 2020 Wrap-Up: shesaid.so members share their personal wins and learnings from 2020
Tags: Music Industry, Resilience, Shesaidso, Reflections, Community

“I am proud of myself because after three very successful years of booking in my country, when pandemic hit I I had to reshape my goals. I had to ask myself what my mission and vision are and start building again from there.” — Pamela

“A massive win for me was having the opportunity to become a SSS mentor for Claire-Anaïs Decarli. I’ve learnt so much and made a wonderful new friend. Not to mention all the other amazing SSS members I’ve met along the way. Community really is everything! I’ve also just started a platform called Face The Music, a place to showcase, amplify and celebrate the intersectional stories from voices across the music industry. I’d love to hear from anyone who’s interested in getting involved.” — Nicky

“A massive win for me at Dmusicmarketing, we maintained really busy all year, especially since Covid, and we have expanded the team hiring two more people in the last 6 months. We are now a team of 12, which 9 are women. This is a massive win in a year filled with uncertainty. It was also amazing to see how easily our team adapted to working remotely without losing the team work ethics.” — Adel

“The pandemic woke me up from what I was doing with my life. I needed to be thrown off the cliff to let go of whatever fears [I had] and commit to my music goals. I started studying music composition on my own when the first lockdown hit. And then, with the help and support of my family, I was able to start an online certificate for music composition from Berklee. — Karen

“I am super proud of finding my first job in music in 2020! It has been a dream of mine for the longest time and I think I am not even realizing to the fullest how this could just be the beginning of something much greater! Most importantly, I am proud of myself for never compromising on my own values despite all of the hurt, sadness and disbelief felt.” — Elena

And what you’ve learnt about yourselves:

“My sense of community has expanded and technology has really supported this. Keeping my community choir engaged has been an example of keeping a very local community activity going, moving online, but also a collaborative project launched on World Voice Day has led to new interactions in Malaysia, India, Norway, Ireland, Australia, France and the US, which has been a beautiful and unexpected positive during this time.” — Juliet

“I don’t know that I’ve learned that much about myself in quarantine, other than that I resent the pressure to do so. It seems like everyone in a creative field has taken this as an opportunity to finish their ground-breaking debut LP, write a seminal work of fiction or become the baking, painting, cross-stitching, cross-country running, Italian speaking film critic they always knew they could be. I am happy if I get up, get my heart rate above 80 beats per minute, brush my teeth and moisturise. If I reply to an email, put on trousers or put my pants in the washing machine, the day is a resounding success. Here’s to more of those.” — Molly

“How incredibly connected we all really are in times of need. People who might normally be competitors are banding together (agents, promoters, venues, managers, etc ). This is really such a powerful thing to witness.” — Laurel

“What I’ve learnt and loved during this time is to deepen my thoughts and get better clarity on my work and personal values and my own personal value. It’s been hard at times but mostly great and I can’t wait to step back into the world with this new found strength this has helped me uncover.” — Claire

“In terms of managing staff, I have learned the importance of swiftness and clarity of decision making. Staff need to know where they stand & they need to know that everyone is being treated fairly and equitably whatever their position within the company.” — Catherine

“I’m experiencing more and more that being present in the here & now (which is a constant practice) is almost the solution to everything, including; not spiralling into anxiety about my future, being more compassionate, enjoying life more — regardless of what happens on the outside.” — Ariane

“I don’t catastrophise as much as I thought I did, and I love tidying.” — Harriet

“I’ve learnt that I can actually cook! I’ve really enjoyed this time making new recipes and creating fun meals. My favourite is the Smashed Avocado BBQ Bacon Burger with home-made chips and I swear it’s the best burger I’ve ever had! Might need to start a new business…!” — Chantal

“Practicing daily fluidity and where possible present in the moment. Have found it easier to accept a day at each time even hour by hour.” — Amanda

“I think many of us artists and musicians actually feel kind of good? Of course it sucks to not be able to work, and for many the economic loss is a heavy thing to deal with. But for many of us we suddenly have time to… rest? Contemplate? Play our music just because we want it? Suddenly it becomes clear that musicians and artists are kind of stuck in the idea of a constant delivery and now we actually have time to think about what we really want to do. And sleep. Eat well. Take care of our families, homes, friends, studios.” — Sara

“The pandemic has completely turned things around 360 but one thing that remains is my conviction to win. Throughout this quarantine, I have been spending a lot of time on my Buddhist practice, which doesn’t have to do with religion but the philosophy of bringing out your own highest potential. It has really helped me gather the courage and wisdom to create hope in my life because that is all we have. I focused a lot on how I could encourage even one person in front of me and kept busy with reading, talking to a lot of people all over the world who work in the same industry and taking one step at a time to figure how I can reinvent my business. Still on that process but I am certain to see a light at the end of the tunnel.” — Aneesha

Take that, 2020.