As a child I loved to sing. I sang every chance I got, even singing myself to sleep at night.
In our home, we didn’t have a TV for entertainment—Dad would play his guitar, and my brother, sister and I would sing loudly and happily for hours. Sometimes we’d act out the lyrics too. Dad always said that it was hard to be miserable if you were singing.
But outside of home, it was a different story.
At school I would mouth the words instead of singing. Even as part of the cast of Hans Christian Anderson with the Nelson Repertory Theatre, I mouthed the lyrics through rehearsals and performances.
For years I was too shy to let my voice be heard. Only recently have I found the confidence to sing openly. And now? I give zero thought to judgment — I happily sing in the supermarket, on walks, out shopping, and on road trips where I belt out every song I know.
I meet so many people who feel the same — self-conscious about doing things that bring them joy. They tell me they “can’t” draw, dance, sing, or create, because they’re afraid of being judged or of “getting it wrong.”
This is one of the reasons I’m studying Trauma-Informed Somatic Dance Facilitation. I believe in the healing power of movement, voice, and expression. When people feel stuck in fear, unable to express themselves, it keeps so much energy and emotion trapped in the body. But when we allow ourselves to move, sing, draw, or dance freely — without judgment — it can release what’s been held inside for too long. This is where somatic healing and creative expression transform not only our mood, but also our wellbeing.
That’s why I’m inviting women to come together to sing, dance, draw, and create in safe, supportive spaces. To explore expressive arts for healing, to move in ways that feel free and joyful, and to reconnect with the parts of themselves that feel most alive.
So I’ll ask you:
What’s that one thing you do that never fails to lift your mood? How would it feel to share it with others?
