HOW TO BE CALM

When life gets busy, it can be tricky to carve out a bit of time for yourself. Here’s how three women found their head space

Carving out Me Time

‘PLAYING THE PIANO makes my heart sing’ As a child, Sheena Abbot-davies hated learning the piano, but now it brings her the clarity she craves

For years I regretted giving up the piano. When I was six, I had lessons for a year or so, but my teacher shouted at me and I loathed practising the boring scales. I moaned and nagged my parents to let me stop and eventually they gave in. It would be more than 40 years before I’d try again. As an adult, my days were filled with raising a family, running my own pyjama company and hosting B&B guests in our home. But as my three boys grew, my role as a mother became redefined. They still needed me, but I gradually found I had more time to myself. It seemed the perfect opportunity to devote some attention to my own wellbeing. I was keen to do something to keep my brain active, too, and my mind drifted back to those days spent at the piano stool. However poor a student I was then, I thought back fondly on my lessons, and so, in January of last year, I bought a cheap electric keyboard, found a tutor and booked my first class. To start with, it was hard going and progress was slow, but the level of attentiveness needed to get through a simple tune meant I was totally absorbed. I loved the fact that problems would fly out of my mind as soon as I started playing a piece of music.

Soon I was attempting more complex pieces and it was always challenging – not least because, as you get older, it’s definitely harder for your hands to jump around the keys. Last Summer I found an old upright piano for sale on ebay and snapped it up. It now takes pride of place in my sitting room and has become my sanctuary. Each day I practise for around 15 minutes, and even when I’m tired or simply not in the mood, as soon as I sit on the piano stool, I feel relaxed and all my worries evaporate.

When I’m at the piano, there’s nothing in my mind except the pleasure of playing music. If I need a boost at the end of a busy day, or I simply want to clear my head, the concentration it takes to play a tune is enough to transport me to another place. I’m not naturally musical, but that’s fine – I’m not planning to be a concert pianist. My aim is to carry on until I’m good enough to play to a few people, maybe at a charity event in a small hall.

I believe finding something that enables you to be yourself when you’re older has huge benefits and reminds you you’re a person in your own right, not simply a wife or mother. Next I’d like to learn French, which I stopped studying after A levels, and I’d like to take up painting again. We all deserve a bit of head space to be ourselves and find peace in a busy world.