Since I began playing the flute in December 2020 it has had a profound effect on both my physical and mental wellbeing. I have always loved music but I never could have imagined the impact playing my own instrument would have .
I have always been someone who struggles having nothing to spend my physical and mental energy on. Before I became too unwell, I could do an 8 mile walk without breaking a sweat and would think nothing of walking to the nearest town. I did well in school and college despite worsening pain and took pride in working hard. When I had to give up university due to my Crohn’s disease and needing surgery it hit me really hard. When it later became apparent that I wouldn’t be able to work or complete my studies that hit me even harder and I began to struggle with feeling like I wasn’t achieving anything,
When the pandemic hit and I had to begin shielding that feeling intensified. All of a sudden I couldn’t do anything for myself, I couldn’t go to the doctors unless someone took me, I couldn’t go get a coffee or pick up my own prescription and it really intensified the feelings of helplessness and being trapped at home.
In December 2020 my fiancé surprised me with a beautiful Yamaha flute for my birthday . He knew that I had lessons as a child and that I had always wanted a flute of my own. From the moment I played my first note I knew that instrument would change my life.
In the beginning it was just nice to have something to do. I would spend around half an hour a day practising and learning each note and then I would need to rest. It took a lot of energy to sustain the notes and hold the flute up. Over time I noticed I was building strength and starting to be able to hold the notes for longer and hold the flute up for a few minutes at a time. Eventually I was able to start practising for longer and it became a staple part of my day.
It was at this point I started to notice how much happier I was feeling. I was less restless, I was feeling more fulfilled and I felt like my brain was being exercised more than it had in years. The flute had given me something to focus on, something I didn’t know I needed until that moment.
Since then it has become so much more than an instrument, it gives me an outlet for my emotions, it gives me back the voice i lost years ago. Playing the flute is one of the few things I actually do just for enjoyment rather than because I feel like I have to. The feeling of freedom when I play is such a huge release, for the time that I play I forget about all the stress in my life truly relax. Additionally I feel like I’m achieving something for the first time in years, every time I learn a new concerto or perfect the next technique it gives me a huge mental boost.
The nicest thing is that playing the flute has actually given me physical benefits too, its helping with my asthma as its working out my lungs and keeping them clear and its strengthening my shoulders, wrists, hands and fingers. It is also improving the dexterity in my hands and fingers by keeping them moving and stretching, and its essentially acting as physiotherapy by stretching muscles that I don’t really use in day to day life.
If you would like to see more of my flute playing journey please visit my instagram @thejoyofflute or TikTok at the same handle.
Chronic musician 