@Audrie Williams Appreciate you filling in the things I forgot to mention. I have all of that in my arsenal too. It makes such a difference. Melatonin, Chamomile/ Passionflower / Lemon Balm / L-Theanine and skullcap combined together in a tea knocks me right out within an hour.

thank you so much for this !! Ive got some pretty bad damage which affects my confidence as well. Going to check this out ! What a gift! @Alex Pfeffer

@Clem Hackmack I find that keeping a consistent routine of listening to music and practicing the piano really helps. Also staying consistent and writing and producing something every day even if it's something small will keep you going and keep you sharp. Make sure not to get distracted by all the new plugins that come out because they are SOOO tempting to use but can really interrupt your performance trying to learn a new GUI. Master repetitious boredom by doing things you always do that you know - and always have a learning mindset to expand your knowledge and skills. Ear training and scales also really helps. ALSO IMPORTANT - Remember to keep your volume levels moderate or low because you only have one set of ears :-) My audiologist said listen to music no louder than 70 decibels for 15 minutes which is still a lot. One Second of 120db causes permanent hearing loss especially when it's distorted. If you don't use it you lose it....the old saying goes :P

@Sean Walsh Thanks for bringing this up as well. After the mandatory lockdowns and quarantine situation in the United States, I spent sooo much time inside also think it's important to mention that pulling all nighters and working long hours put me in the most psychotic state I can ever think of being in. One day I woke up and decided that what became my new normal was actually nearly killing me. Over time my mental health suffered dramatically and It's really important to be around people and socialize in person even if it's to talk to a real person ( Not on social media). In this modern day and age it's so easy to get locked in to technology and social media / watching videos and reels but over time it just drains your dopamine and energy levels and after a while nothing was enjoyable anymore (not even working on music was enjoyable). What did i do to change my situation? Well, lets just say pharmaceuticals have their place and medicine can be great when properly monitored and adjusted. Through meditations, breathwork, brisk walks, and a complete change in my sleep schedule and diet - I was able to lose 70 pounds by stopping the medications I was prescribed which looking back did more harm than good. I took a more holistic approach with the help of a doctor and doing my own research. Scheduling non-negotiable time in the morning to sit in silence and do deep breath work, followed by walking in the morning 2-4 miles - delaying caffeine, cutting out terrible sugars and carbs, eating healthy fats, protein and a more balanced diet with supplements I was actually able to recover from depression and anxiety and pretty much every problem I had by implementing these basic things that our bodies are governed by. Movement, Sunlight, Human Interaction, Eating Healthy. What a concept right? Take care of yourself and you'll be amazed at how much energy you have and my family and friends asked me what I was doing and that my demeanor and energy completely change (back to normal). Thanks for sharing this because Isolation can actually lead to loneliness which can actually kill you. #FACTS. I hope people can benefit from this. Also people who work night shifts are at a higher risk of developing certain cancers. Something to think about. Life changing actually :-) SLEEP, BREATH, EXERCISE AND EAT BETTER. A healthy lifestyle is very important for energy and productivity. Take care of yourself and everything else tends to fall in to place.

@Sean Walsh Everyone covered pretty much everything. What about https://www.audioollie.com/la-modern-percussion ? This is one of the most incredible libraries as well. For the price it's kind of outrageous. Definitely look through the "Walkthrough" and "Groove Engine" videos...I think you'll be impressed.

@Sean Walsh Any time!