How To Live With My Anxiety
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- čas přidán 12. 01. 2023
- When I first experienced anxiety, I was shocked. Since then, I've had to learn ways to live with it. It takes too much energy to fight against anxiety, so instead I have learned how to work with it. What are your experiences with anxiety? Have there been times when guitar has relieved your anxiety?
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HI Tomo thanks for talking about this. I am a physician and had always thought anxiety was just a mental state until it happened to me. I was about 40 years old, and was getting a patient ready for a procedure interviewing him. He was there with his wife and looked a little like me and was my age. He had a newly diagnosed cancer (lethal) and was there to get a vascular line put in by me in order to receive chemo. As I was talking with him I started feeling dizzy. So I went into the other room where the beds were and lied down. Started shaking and had trouble breathing. My mind immediately determined I must be sick probably sepsis from some infection. I ordered my resident to draw blood to send for culture. was giving orders telling the nurse start an IV on me and get an ecg. I thought I must be really sick. Had them wheel me to the ER . I explained to my colleague the ER doc I was septic with some strange infection, He looked at me and said "maybe, yet let me give you a little benzodiazepine like drug to at least relax you while we figure out what is wrong ". As soon as the drug went in I was completely normal. He told me I had just had a panic attack. What was so surprising to me was the physical component. I wasn't thinking at the time about anxiety or being anxious. It is almost like having a seizure run through your body. Only in retrospect did I put two and two together that seeing the patient that looked like me being so sick created inner, below the level of consciousness extreme anxiety. I then looked back at my life objectively and realized I had this thing "anxiety" all the time. I remembered sometime when I walk into a large store with a lot of stimuli I get a little dizzy not nervous. I always had thought I must have some strange medical condition when that happened. Everyone has worry and anxiety it is normal. The difference with anxiety disorder is it is a biochemical predisposition to having this release of adrenaline or sympathetic response inappropriately. I am very thankful you created this video as sometimes being different in anyway is very isolating as there is no one to share your story with making you feel isolated.
Thank you for sharing. Anxiety really can gives you wrong thought. Very convincing. Interesting part is not knowing working about something but this could be happening.
Don’t worry
Don’t compare
Don’t expect too fast
Be kind to yourself
tomofujitamusic.creator-spring.com/
Thank you for sharing.interesting perspective and experience to hear from a doctor. Blessings!
Anxiety symptoms are caused by a surge of adrenaline. Fighting anxiety and fear of anxiety causes a further release of adrenaline. As a lifelong sufferer from anxiety, the acceptance model taught by Dr Claire Weekes in her books and on CZcams has given me a way of dealing with it and greatly reduced the symptoms. I have no connection to Dr Weekes.
I have that experience too when I go into a big store or mall.
I have anxiety also.
@tragus44 Can't speak for you but it's my general observation that hard workers and people who deal with others are more subject to anxiety than less say sensitive people. I can relate to the felling of "dizziness" and it's likely because you are interested in doing a good job and are always look for ways to improve. I've found that meditation helps immensely.
living with autism and social anxiety disorder is a challenge every day. The worst part is when people think I have overcome the disorder because I have done things like travelling around the world by myself. Anxiety disorders aren't something you overcome, you just learn how to deal with them. I explain to people I am able to do the things I do, not because I have conquered my anxiety, but it is more like the person who has a fear of heights who takes up sky diving. I refuse to let it stop me
Thanks for sharing! You can explain what's going on. I respect who you are. Do you own highend silent headphone when you are traveling? That's really helping me when I travel. I don't hear anything.
@@TomoFujitaMusic I don't, but sound doesn't trigger my anxiety. Even crowds are ok. It is one on one or small groups that set it off. Even talking on the phone I have to rehearse before I make the call.
Response to bkmeahan
...Very brave comment best to you. Wish you might have said something related to your musical experience or guitar but ty . It looks by your photo you are a musician I will check out your channel in the future
@@bkmeahan It's so hard but you don't need to be perfect or to prove anyone! We are humans & we make mistakes and okay!
@@TomoFujitaMusic Yes! Noise cancelling headphones and foam earplugs like the construction workers use; I don’t leave home without them. Thank you for sharing your very personal story, Fujita-sama. 🙏🏻🤘🏻🎸
If your mind is in the past, you are depressed. If it´s in the future, you have anxiety. If you´re living Now, you´re ok. Good man Mr Fujita..wish you all the best.
Well said! I want people to ease on this. Thank you so much!
I am guilty of letting what happened earlier today or the last interaction that I had with somebody ride my shoulders a bit and I worry about my next interaction in that if I can reciprocate it to better control of the outcome. Other than that Anything more than a day away in either direction is beyond my emotional cup😂
Tomo you're always so good about reducing other people's anxiety.
"Be kind to yourself. Don't expect too much too soon. Practice slowly and be patient"- guitar wisdom.
So happy to hear that! I want to be helpful to others. Thanks so much! Yes! Guitar Wisdom. Wisdom words!
One thing that you mentioned in your video hits home. Sensitive people are prone to anxiety. I went through a terrible time for years and didn't understand why me. I was fisically fit, raced motorcycles, traveled cross country, restored old houses with my wife. Then it started. The same symptoms that you described. I got so bad I couldn't drive my car to the doctors. I fought taking meds. Maybe that was a mistake, not sure. My wife's support and constant reassurance to try various methods to deal with it eventually allowed me to get back to almost normal. This world has become very unkind and it hurts to see others suffer. Thinking too much about the negative can make my anxiety flare up. Like you I try to focus on the good. Best advice I received was surround yourself with happy kind people. I'm 68 years old now and just learning to play guitar. Thank you for your videos.
Thank you for sharing! To me, playing guitar and Don't worry, Don't compare, Don't expect too fast, Be kind to yourself... really helped me!
My goal is a little above the middle! Thank you so much! My pleasure!
Hi Tomo, I am 72 years old and I am also a cancer patient, so anxiety lives permanently inside me. I try to fight it with small things but that personally help me a lot, like improving my guitar sound with the few things I can afford, or composing my own music, but also listening to you ( having you as a teacher and friend would be a dream ) makes me feel better. Thank you very much for this video, a big hug🤗
Thanks for sharing. My sister had a cancer so I feel deeply. Guitar playing definitely help. Try this 3 foundation exercises for focus, determination, make something happen. This might help you. I will make this lesson video on my Guitar Wisdom. Song writing ready help you heal your soul. You're welcome!
Replying to Edo Leonardi...
Hi there thank you for sharing your story.
I'll be 69 shortly and iv been fooling with the guitar since I was 12.
Iv had anxiety most of my life. My family kicked me out when I was 16 alone and basically with nothing..Somehow 8 survived!
i can easily say music and playing guitar has been a big reason I'm still here.
I can go into my room alone and find great comfort playing guitar .
It has also connected me with others I admire greatly both directly and indirectly.
We are both fortunate to be able to learn from Master Tomo and to be part of his community here .
I wish you all the best, and by the way, what kind of music do you enjoy playing?
You are an inspiration sir. Thank you for all the good you've done for so many. ✌️
Just under 3 minutes in, I was thinking.. why is Tomo telling my story .. anxiety probs all my life, musical mother showed me the mouthharmonica and opened up my ears; without karate, played waterpolo .. Carlton etc, .. did Larry cause a trauma in me😊? wonderfull open, honest and helpfull story, TY Tomo.🎉 great teacher and rollmodel you are. Even for a 63 year old greyhound.. finding out to live with myself , still have 'm , acceping it: wise man You are. TY, no compare.😊
Thank you for sharing! You're very young! A lot of possibilities!
Don’t worry
Don’t compare
Don’t expect too fast
Be kind to yourself
www.osiamo.com/Pickboy-Wisdom-Picks-by-Tomo-Fujita
I have anxiety, if I dwell on the past I can drift into remorse, if I think too much about the future I can get fearful. If I practice living in today and minding my own business and just to do the next thing in front of me things usually go well. If I focus more on fixing my own problems rather then bitchin’ about someone else’s my life in better. The last thing I try to remember when something or someone upsets me I ask myself “Do I want to be right or do I want to be happy?”. Stay strong Tomo,
sometimes I forget “Life is fair, it’s
hard on all of us”. Remembering this helps me avoid feeling like a victim.
Thanks for sharing! Think about Mr.Bean!
Don’t worry
Don’t compare
Don’t expect too fast
Be kind to yourself
www.osiamo.com/Pickboy-Wisdom-Picks-by-Tomo-Fujita
Very interesting story. I have a very similar life to yours. I retired and gave my recording studio equipment to the local high school. Sold 90% of my instruments. I play everyday at least 2 hours. I play only finger style now. And I have never felt better. I have emphysema and sense Covid I’ve been isolated. This has only made me play better. I only have to please me, and my dogs and not to forget my wife. So free. I enjoy your talks, please don’t stop. Thanks
Thanks for sharing! I am downsizing right now! I want more simple life with my family. Good job! I have 3 foundation exercises practice routine that help me calm down deeply. Be thankful! Thank you!
I find it hard to part with things and hold on to them especially musical instruments and gear.
Thank you for your thoughts and congratulations on your musical progress! I think that is rare and special
I developed anxiety when I was 14, now 19 it hasn’t exactly gotten better but I am so very grateful for music and my guitar, it has been one of the few things that helps me release all of that tension. If you have anxiety I would absolutely recommend trying to find an expressive outlet, I hope you may find some help there.
i agree 100%
Hey friend I too developed anxiety at around the same age and I also suffer from schizophrenia. I really recommend searching up David Goggins. It's really helped me turn those things against themselves to go from giving me fear, anxiety and depression, to giving me drive to push myself to my limits then using those negative things to push myself further. It's helped me turn my self-hate into strength because I never want to go back to who I was before. I hope this helps and remember to not discredit progress,. I hope this helps, stay safe out there (:
Thank you for sharing!
@@TomoFujitaMusic
It will get better friend! I dealt with it for years in my early twenties and it was miserable… it took over all aspects of my life, but Eventually it got better to where it was non-existent. Reducing your stress levels make a huge difference and also working on cognitive therapy. Find exercise to do when anxiety starts to come on and battle your way through it… just know, no matter how bad it gets, nothing bad is going to happen to you. It will go away and life will get better.
I hope you find relief brother… nobody deserves to live with that monster.
Such a powerful video and thank you so much for having the courage to share. I, like many others, have also dealt with this and I think more leaders like you should be discussing it.
Thanks so much!
This is probably one of the most important lessons you'll ever give. It's a life lesson that will relate to many people and its really good to hear that no-one is alone in their trials and tribulations. It's also really good to hear that you learn to manage these situations and clearly you have because you are so well respected in your musical field. Thanks for your honesty and sharing your experience. I'm sure it will benefit others. As for the piece where you say legend on the left, legend on the right......I think you missed the fact that there was a legend in the middle and yes that is Tomo Fujita.....Music is the best therapy for anything in my opinion. Whenever I'm low, pick up the guitar and immediately feel better.
Thank you so much! Thanks for sharing.
Been there many years ago; hospital etc.. For me, making sure I get enough sleep is paramount to dealing with my anxiety. Unfortunately anxiety may disrupt good sleep. "When the demon is at your door, in the morning it won't be there no more, any major dude will tell you." - Steely Dan. Another thing that always helped my anxiety was recognizing how many millions of people also deal with the issue. That concept removed some of the teeth of my anxiety. I wasn't alone in my situation. Another quote that helped me was "Nothing is neither good nor bad, lest thinking make it so." Understanding my perspective on things was making them positive or negative. Thank you for making this video - your experience with the mystery of anxiety was just like mine; exhausted and overthinking and overanalyzing. I'm your age and as the years have passed, I've been able to come up with tools that help me - and lately I almost never have anxiety attacks.
Thank you for sharing! Thank you so much!
You're very welcome!
Hey Tomo,
I think it is the greatest thing that you share these very personal struggles with an audience. First, it helps you too, as a kind of form of therapy, talking, letting it out of you. At the same time you reach people like me, and I'm pretty sure, many others who might just start to realise that they've been struggling. 2 and a bit years ago my partner left me after 10 years and my dad died. I was in a dark place. Depression kicked in and realised that I've been struggling with anxiety from a young age too, as I was bullied in school and never really talked about it to anyone, not even my parents. After a yearish or so I've started taking therapy because I didn't feel good in my skin, but I did know this isn't the real me. It's been more than a year, and I still struggle but I realised a lot about myself, my feelings and how to deal with them. Still a long way to go but I can see a clearer path, even if it is not always that clear. The reason why I am at your channel now, because I picked up the guitar again, after my ex left me, as I wasn't really practicing in those 10 years while I was with her. I realised how important guitar was in my teenager years and how powerful was it when I picked it up again. Now I am watching your channel for useful tips, practice routine, etc, and taking guitar lessons again. My motivation to get better is as high as ever been, and really want to go back to a band and just play music and write music as I used to be doing. Even tho, I am in my 30s now I'd like to believe that it isn't too late and I can progress and still be a decent guitar player, even If I am not going to be a Steve Vai, but that is okay, I shouldn't compare myself to others, at least not in an unhealthy way. So, thank you so much for this conversation and I wish you the best and hopefully I can catch you on a gig or something at some point.
Thank you for sharing! We are humans so we are not supposed to be perfect! We all have some degrees of anxiety in us. We all have struggles here and there, small & big. Worry about things ... to understand them deeply and don't pay attention too much. Even if you are 40s, 50s... so young! First sleep well, eat well, exercise well, be positive! Be thankful first! You are the only one, so beautiful human being! Don't forget that! Thank you so much!
Music, namely playing guitar, helps calm my angst.
Thanks for sharing. Guitar is amazing!
In my 20s I developed severe anxiety. It got so bad that on three occasions I hyperventilated to the point of passing out. I went through numerous medical and psychological tests. They looked for blood sugar. They looked for hormonal levels. They ultimately found nothing. At the time I was a pilot, when I reported these occurrences to the flight surgeon, I was immediately grounded and lost my flight physical. That was that. As you might imagine, this made my anxiety even worse. Then one day I was driving on the freeway and began to feel anxious, I really panicked as I thought I might pass out and cause a major accident. I exited as fast as I could and as soon as I was out of danger, my anxiety disappeared. I mustered up the courage, told myself that I was in charge of myself, and got right back on the freeway. My anxieties never came back.
wish it was that easy to lose it.
Thanks for sharing. That must been so hard to take. Similar to my way to major recording session. We have choices and no need to be number one or amazing! I look for a little above the middle. That has been working for me.
One of my close friend who owned a music night club in Japan. He was a rugby player who injured really bad... so he was very depressed and started drinking at jazz bar in Japan.... then he thought what if?... He gave up his rugby and went to USA... visited many cities and he got an idea of making those nice music nightclubs in Japan! He stared to work at several restaurants to learn how to cook... so once he learned Japanese...quit... Italian... quit.. he repeated so he can make his own menus. Now he is very successful in that industry but he still loves rugby... His music club named "RUG" Now i know why!
Awesome.
You have anxieties too? Granted I only know you from your videos but I see you as one of the chillest dudes in the world. Well it’s always nice to find commonalities with others!
Yes! Thank you!
I've been struggling with very severe anxiety for quite a while now, and it's always nice to hear a story like this from someone you look up to. Makes me feel more normal, thanks.
Thanks for sharing. Thank you!
You are very very very very normal! You are also probably a sensitive and kind person too.
I AM ALMOST 68yrs. Of age. I PLAYED DRUM SINCE THE SEVENTH GRADE. THEN A FEW YRS. AGO I DECIDED I WANTED PLAY PIANO AND GUITAR. SO NOW
I AM TRYING MY HEART OUT TO LEARN GUITAR AND PIANO. I ENJOY YOUR CHANNEL. SINCERELY ROY TENNESSEE FAUGHT.
@@royfaughttennesseefaught957 Thanks for sharing! Thank you!
@@TomoFujitaMusic THANK YOU
Omg...now i know why i like you.
Anxiety ,and what if? crippled me.
Everything you're saying in this video could have come from my own life.
When i was 19, i decided to try guitar. I've never been to concentrate on anything long enough to learn. But the guitar was different.
I taught myself cowboy chords, and in about 3 months, i found myself playing with some neighbors.
They told me i was very talented. The kid taught me Norwegian wood. I still remember like yesterday. He said you're playing that better in 15 minutes than i could in 6 months, and i need to pursue music.
I was so full of self-doubt i almost thought he was making fun of me.
I never saw him again, and i put the guitar down and didn't pick it up for years.
Then i tried a few years later, and my girlfriend would sgame the songs i would pick, and i would get self-conscious .so for the last 25 yrs I'd play for a few weeks and put it down. And not touch it for years.
So, 23 years later, i get sick. Like death sick. So i refused to die without learning to play some of my favorite songs.
Because of how i felt about myself, i surround myself with very negative ppl. My now ex told me i wouldn't make it more than two weeks playing the girl.
I tried everything drugs .they didn't work, so i stopped no real issue. But it still almost killed me. I eventually just locked myself away whenever possible.
So the only way i could play the guitar is when im calm, and because I'm autistic or something, i see patterns. But that only happens when im calm.
My life was literally the worst it ever was . But i was happy.
Why? That freaking guitar lets me be me. Because i got into a car accident, i had to relearn what I learned the previous year. I would choke the hell out of the neck.
After a two lvl acdf surgery, i couldn't hold the guitar while standing. I'm only just starting now.
But because i lost all my strength, i had to learn to have a light touch and proper form. So i had to learn to breathe .
I had to correct my posture.
I started stretching.
This guitar gave me peace.
I've only ever had in fleeting moments.
Real peace. I feel good about myself now.
My god, to think i could have just played the guitar .
That's why i was so grateful for your tiny bit of help. I live youtube because i can be honest. I could have never said any of this in the real world.
So again, what you have helped me with in my life is priceless and can't be put into words. Im going to stop trying and just say thank you for the last time. I think you get it.
Thank you so much for sharing! I had too much expectation so I changed that part. Now I am happy if I can go a little above the middle! No number one, only one! Be kind to yourself! Don't compare! Don't expect too fast! Don't worry! Guitar is amazing! I am so thankful and grateful! You did a great job! I am so proud of you!
Thank you Mr. Fujita. Your story is not only very inspiring and powerful but you have such a lighthearted approach that brings a smile to my face. Thank you for sharing it with us.
You are not only an incredible musician and teacher but also a person to look up to as a human being.
Best wishes from Colombia.
My pleasure! So great to hear that! You're very welcome! Thank you!
Anxiety is a very complex ailment for many people. Some people who have never suffered from it may ask questions like, how can someone like this who is such a great guitar player and musician, who seems to have it all get anxious about things? Listening to guys like you is a great medicine for other sufferers, and talking about it can only be a positive thing and help yourself too.
Thanks for sharing. Many musician has this! Very common. Funny part is not trying to be nervous but naturally without thinking.... panic attack will sneak in. Music, guitar playing is a great medicine. This thing can make more positive things and all good!
Suffered through it my whole life.. breathe man...breathe..thanks for having the courage to talk about this...it will help a lot of people 😁♥️
Thanks for sharing. You're welcome.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Shared pain is half the pain, shared joy is twice the joy
You're welcome! Sharing is good thing to do.
Ever since experiencing a home invasion, managing anxiety has been a real part of my life and, like you said, it is a hard thing to talk about with people. As a musician/performer, it’s a tough thing to reconcile, because you always have to meet and work with new people, new situations. The anxiety is always there but as you say, it’s like a roommate that I pay less and less attention to as the years go by. Life sometimes can be hard but it is always beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story Tomo
I forgot to mention as well, music itself, the act of playing, and the art of guitar also help me deal with anxiety
Thanks for sharing! Just like having a roommate. My pleasure.
Thanks much for revealing so much. It’s very important and inspiring to see you succeed despite your challenges. I suffer from depression but have made a career in music. It’s been hard but great. You are helping us a lot.
@@ledaswan5990 You're welcome! Thanks for sharing! Life is struggle but it's worth working on!
Many times in my life there have been upsetting events and hard times that I had to work through. Playing my guitar has always been a positive way to deal with stress and anxiety. I also enjoy playing the blues to help me through those times since it really makes you feel like you're not alone. The artists who played these blues are all linked in that we are human and we have good times and bad. Stay strong out there and just try to be as positive as you can. It really does make a difference.
Thanks for sharing! Blues playing is healing your soul! I play blues everyday!
Ohayo Tomo-San
I live with anxiety as well and it could literally ruin one's life and turn it upside down ( in my case ), especially when you have a family , kids and things going on ..
I've been living with anxiety for like 7 years now , there's a lot to tell about it , it's such a "special" journey , all i've learned through the years i've been dealing with it , it's that most anxious people live in their heads , that have lost control on their emotions and just believe whatever the mind tell them , in short we gave full power to our mind on us and we just follow whatever it tells us , remedy ?! well the only way to get better it's to get the control back , and to remind yourself that not every thought you get in your head it's " true " and it's a "fact" , in a matter of fact , 90% of your thoughts it's pure imagination and fiction , so what's the solution you might ask , all you can do it's to simply ACCEPT any thought or feeling that comes with , you and me have been programming our minds to fear the fear and to fly when things gone out of OUR "control" and such .. trust me i've been through this for many years i've been failing many attempts to get better , i've read LOT of books , watched like thousands of videos about it , only way that works for me at least .. is not giving a damn and accept whatever it throws on my , anxiety just fires for 10 minutes then it's gone when my mind notice that i'm not giving a f*** it just leaves me alone , so whenever you feel anxious or about to get a panic attack in some situation like you're in public or something that trigger it for you , just tell yourself this " i don't care no matter what happen to me i just don't care so there you go anxiety do your thing it's not like the first time anyways" ( you'll feel anxious and you'll feel like you're about getting a panic attack and that's completely OK and normal ) and last thing i'd like to mention , i know most of us people that deals with anxiety , thinks that their life is ruined forever and that they will never be happy again and that you're alone , you're NOT alone , there's millions of people like us around the world , we're just so GOOD on hiding it , you'll be alright , anxiety and it's feelings it's just a bunch of chemicals chaos happening in your body , you're not weak you're not crazy , you're just caring too much about everything your head telling you , wish you all a good health it's a war i know a scary one indeed , but you'll WIN anxious people are very brave warriors i know that because i see it .
BE THE MASTER NOT THE SLAVE.
Thanks for sharing! Not fun having anxiety attacks. but I have learned through this... how to prepare ahead, lower my expectation, be thankful before do anything etc. I am so fortunate. Thank you.
I started playing in the subways in New York City and used that to overcome my anxiety. When I got gigs here and there I was fine because I had just not long ago been performing in front of thousands of strangers on platforms or streets and worked up nerves of Steele .. I quit subway and gigging for a few years before covid and then out of the blue was called for a gig recently .I had a month in advance to be ready but nothing could help me overcome my anxiety as it resurfaced in full force.. I made it through the Gig, but it was a plane crash of a show. My hands Shook so bad that I had a better vibrato than BB King. I had to move from a high stool to a low chair just to crouch into my guitar and just hide behind my own nervous body sitting there shivering in front of people. The only thing I could do was to own it and step outside of myself and hide behind myself. And of course on top of all of that none of my sound equipment balanced out properly . My advice is to develop a bag full of little safety tricks that you can improvise on the spot. And have several options lined up in case one fails. And like someone else said “If you hit a bad note , do it again intentionally “ or pretend the guitar went out of tune 😅
Thank you for sharing! Eventually you will get to used to play in front of audiences. You can do a few things. Be prepare more what to play. Listen those songs as many as you could listen. You can record yourself so you can really hear what you sounds like. Don’t worry what people think or anything too much! Don’t compare! Just compare yourself inside of yourself. Good way to push yourself to next level or place you want to be. Please don’t forget to enjoy your playing!
@@TomoFujitaMusic thank you ToMo. The main reason I failed was because I’d forgotten who I was and tried to be somebody else. I WAS THAT GUY that would jump on a stage from the streets trailing a slew of problems and would just make a show of it. Broken Amp filled with dust from the subway trains, short in guitar cables, even my wah pedal lost its “wah” effect and essentially became just a volume pedal. I’d try reflowing solder joints because the constant hot /cold nature of subways would real havoc on circuit boards and my reflow jobs would just make things worse !. Not to mention all the other problems like popping stings mid song or just having to play with an out of tune guitar either a step down or a step up to compensate almost forgot to mention pots acting up on me. Till this day my American strat is either on full blast turn the volume knob one notch to 9 and it cuts out completely. somehow or another my performances was just of me fighting all these variables and people for some reason was entertained by that . but after my hiatus, I went to the Gig with fresh gear no problems like what I meantioned except a broken pinky finger on my fretting hand but not a worry ,as I got 4 other fingers but anyway the plane just crashed (nerves) and it had nothing to do with the finger. I think the next gig I’ll go back to broken gear as I think I am comfortable in complete chaos and ruin .thats probably my version of tha blues anyways Thank you again for letting me share Tomo.
@@hemigod2 Thank you so much for sharing this. For gears that you use... maintenance is super important so that your gears will never fail. Be prepared much more! Simple is far better! Just one great guitar (well setup) with new strings! One good amp! One good cable! No need any effects! You're very welcome!
You were so lucky to have a good, caring karate sensei. Mine was a guy who only followed money and prestige, didn't care about anything else.
I was so fortunate. I almost quit my Karate a few times. He was a tough teacher but once he found out that I play guitar... he smiled! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Tomo,
I’m struggling with anxiety for about 8 years now and it stems from a trauma in my childhood. As a kid there was I time I experienced panic attacks as well but no one around me took it for serious or knew what it was, therefore it was left untreated. I’m going to therapy for about 2 years now and I must say it helps a lot. Of course most of dealing with it and healing lies within oneself. I’ve learned so much through it and try to live with it as best as I can. I realized by taking care of myself helps me best and heals my inner child. I’ve just started learning guitar, because it was something I’ve always wanted to do as a kid but didn’t had the resources to do so. Now that I’m older I want to live without having any regrets and being more confident. That’s why I think me learning the guitar helps immensely with my healing journey!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and opening up about your past to your community! That just shows how much you trust us and I for myself appreciate it a lot.
Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing. Good job! Panic attacks are a great sign for taking care of yourself. Guitar playing, guitar practice routine will heal it too. No regrets! My rule! You're welcome! Thank you!
@@TomoFujitaMusic Thank you so much!! I'll try my hardest! :)
To hear a master of positivity share this sort of history is a profound experience. I am now 68, and although I have learned how to manage the anxiety and depression that have always been part my my nature, I still have room to learn from the experiences of others. Thank you, Tomo, for caring enough about other people to share the lessons you have learned. You are a great man.
Thank you so much for sharing. You're welcome!
Please continue to take good care of yourself - body and soul.
Thank you so much! Everyone is so supportive!
I've been told anxiety is a Physical manifestation caused by psychological issue. I have experienced anxiety before a performance, but the anxiety would leave as soon as I began playing. My wife developed anxiety and could not breathe! She is a professor so it had to be addressed. She could feel it coming on, and she tried to deal with it without assistance. Finally she started taking medication and the anxiety has stopped!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for making this Tomo. The sensation you described (heart beating too fast, feeling faint, etc...) are symptoms of a panic attack, a very acute form of anxiety. I once heard a singer talk about how he had his first panic attack in the middle of a performance and since he'd never experienced anything like that, he really thought he was dying. Your advice about living with it, sleeping, eating well, and thinking about positive things are really valuable advice.
You're very welcome Anthony! You're very open to talk about this topic too. Thank you so much! Very beginning, those panic attacks were so scary. Now I think about something else when it's happening. Sleeping & preparing well, being positive thinking really helped. My practice routine is really helping my feeling. Yes. You can live with your room mate. Thank you!
It's hard to explain what it's like to have anxiety attacks to someone who has never had them. You are not alone. I'm still learning to deal. Thanks for sharing some of your story. From Brazil.
Thanks for sharing. You're very welcome.
Hi. I have had Generalized Anxiety Disorder all my life. In 49 now. When I was 26 I took a course on anxiety and depression. I wrote myself a note when I wasn’t anxious that said this anxiety attack will go away it’s go. I read that note every time I had anxiety attack and slow believed I’d be ok. Then anxiety went away
Thank you for sharing. I had really bad one in the past then I changed how I feel things so I am doing good now. We are humans so we are not perfect! If I over thinking and worry about something unnecessary then I could have anxiety attack clearly! But I just think something else.
Exactly. I’m new to guitar and your videos are excellent. I’m am getting your beginner guitar lessons as soon as my fingers callous up.
Good job! Thank you!
I get anxiety as well from some child hood experiences. Meditation, music, outdoor exercise, zazen meditation, self love, freinds familly and my dog Ted relieves it.
I hope you are doing well. 😀
Thank you for sharing! We all get this. Music, guitar, friendship...all good! I am so thankful & grateful!
Tomo, your story is almost identical to mine. I struggled for years with anxiety attacks. They started when I was 18 and I couldn’t control them. Then just thinking about having an attack would make me have one. It was really horrible and led to drinking and drugs to try to deal with it, but that just made it worse. It took a long time for me to learn how to control it. Just like you I recognized that it was all in my head and I needed a mental tool to help. Now I’m 55 and I very rarely have any, but if I feel it coming I can control it very quickly just by using the mental tool I learned and by using a breathing technique. People who don’t have them usually don’t understand and will say things like “what’s wrong with you? Why can’t you just relax”, and they get rude or angry. People need to learn more about it so thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing! Very scary but once you know what to do. You can live with it. Actually you can be much healthier because you want to be prepared ... sleep well, eat well, exercise well, be prepared well!
Fighting anxiety my whole life. The worst was bad case stage fright, performing on stage. Now older and retired it's getting worse. I hear you my brother it's rough. We can stand together to fight it. I am here for you and you are here for me, thank you for this. Yes guitar helps.
Thanks for sharing. That's very natural to many people. You can prepare more performance part & prepare how to feel part. Don't fight! Be friend with this. You're welcome.
Hi Mr. Fujita. I’m a beginner, self-learning guitar at 61 yrs young through many guitar tutorials on CZcams. I came upon one of your videos by accident and have come to learn more about you afterwards. Well this video that you’re sharing with the world on your personal struggle with anxiety is probably best of all your videos. I think a lot of beginner guitarist/ musicians experience a bit of anxiety when learning. …For that matter, this video should be the first video of all your lessons. Like you, I’m a Larry Carlton fan too 😊 -Oh, I forgot to mention, I experience clinical anxiety. Knowing who you are a great guitar player and honorable teacher, I really believe I can now learn grow with confidence in my journey in the beautiful sounding world of guitar.
Thank you,
-K
Thank you for sharing! CZcams is more entertaining so it’s hard to learn guitar proper way. Practice a few foundation so these will give you more confidence
Thank you so much!
I just want to say that we are humans and we are not perfect at all! Be yourself!
I had a mild case of anxiety, physical fitness and playing my guitar got me through my issues, also meditation is part of my daily routine.
Thanks for sharing! Good job!
You have been a major inspiration for me to pursue learning how to play the guitar. While I was in the army I would always watch your videos whenever I could. Thank you so much for your content and always remember there are people on here who really appreciate everything that you do!
So happy to hear that. You're welcome!
Thank you for sharing your struggle, Tomo. I'm sure there are a lot of us that can relate.
You're welcome! Yes totally.
I had a complete mental breakdown about 4 months ago, and that's when I decided to learn guitar.
I needed something to help me find peace and that's what it did for me... It gave me inner peace and even though I still have anxiety, I can now pick up my guitar and practice and I feel soooooo much better. It literally is medicine for the soul, much better than the pills the doctor's will give you.
Thank you very much for your video's, I love them!!
Thank you for sharing. Try simple exercises. Those really helped me. You can do some body exercises too. Simple one is to walk 30 minutes a day. Stretch your body etc. Eat healthy foods, No drink too much alcohol. Don't eat food after 8pm. Thank you so much!
@@TomoFujitaMusic I do walk, every day before I practice, I have better practice time after I clear my mind with a good walk. Thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it. I love your channel.😍😍
@@Samantha-xz6ie Good job! I love walking in the woods everyday. You're welcome! So happy to hear that.
The same introspect we rely on to thoughtfully improve ourselves often puts people at odds when we focus on something we cannot understand, control, and resolve. It is hard to cope with, hard to look inward and ascertain you have something from your Id ringing your alarm bells, and hardest to articulate the ask for help. So I salute you, Fujita Sensei, for having the courage to very publicly share your struggle. Anyone with crippling anxiety or depression is encouraged to find a person or a place to get these thoughts out of your head and into daylight, where their power to control you diminishes as dialogue develops. Ive certainly had anxiety, fear, and true despair from work, personal loss. Enjoying music really has helped cane it out of me, even when someone else plays it. Singing also profoundly helps me purge an emotional blockage. What you mentioned about sleep, karate, health; all of that being consistent has similarly + positively affected my ability to navigate this life. At any rate, anyone who struggles with something they cannot understand or resolve is encouraged to share their demons in a safe space where we can talk-out the power they exert over you. It is a normal part of the human experience to feel not great and together we can work it out.
Thanks for sharing. Thank you so much! Positive feeling is so important!
Good morning Tomo. Just wanted to send you some love and I hope you have a nice day today and get to share some music. Your impact continues to ripple out to the world. Thank you for doing so much to make the world a better and more joyful place for so many people!
Good morning! Thank you so much! You're very welcome! My pleasure!
You’re a beautiful man.
I learned to deal with panic attacks head-on and it’s one of the best skills I’ve ever learned.
Thank you so much! Thanks for sharing.
Feel better sir. I have had anxiety as long as I can remember. I have found ways to reduce it. I have a very active mind and love to learn so that is one good thing.
Thanks so much! Thank you for sharing.
Great post Tomo. Anxiety is more common than most would imagine. You’ve helped a lot of people here. ♥️🙏🏻🌅🎵🎶🎸🎼
Thank you! Hope I can be helpful!
Thank you very much for sharing, Tomo! You are a true inspiration, not only as a musician, but as a human being!
My pleasure!
I did listen all the way to "bye".
Besides having guitar in common with you, I also lived in Kyoto (I was very small) and also have had to deal with anxiety attacks. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you so much! Awesome! Thanks for sharing. You're welcome!
Tomo there are a lot of things in this world that can unnerve even the most steely eyed people, but you just have to take life one day at a time don’t try to live too fast, and although there is highs and lows, remember that while setbacks may happen you just have to remind yourself it’s not gonna be today and keep that positive attitude😊
Thank you so much! I am doing well now. Guitar is really helping. My problem was "perfectionist" now I am much mellow and slow down.
Don’t worry
Don’t compare
Don’t expect too fast
Be kind to yourself
tomofujitamusic.creator-spring.com/
I've had anxiety attacks since I was a kid, and I'm older than you. I really appreciate hearing about your experiences and what's helpful for you. I'm not a guitarist, but I love music; your playing, teaching and philosophy are great! Very glad you're here!
Thanks for sharing. You're welcome! Thank you so much
Hi Tomo ! I had you as a Lab/Ensemble teacher at Berklee during the 90’s. I had the same anxiety issues while I was there. It’s great to hear you talk about it.
Thank you Kevin!! Thanks for sharing!
BTW I learned some really great things from you back then - thank you! It’s strange but you were the 1st professor to tell us “If it says play a half note, play a half note. If it says play a dotted quarter note, do that….etc”. It sounds simple but a lot of people don’t do that. I now tell my students the same thing. ありがとうございました。😊
@@kevinmittleman7154 So happy to hear that. I like to show, explain a lot of details. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing, Tomo. The most powerful drug in the world: SLEEP.
You're welcome! Yes! That's I care a lot so I am in ease feeling. Very important! And exercises, eating habits. Balance!
I had the exact same situation!!! I get pressured because of the guitar teachers. I just teached myself in the end.
Thanks for sharing! Actually its so hard to teach well and you must like it to help people!
Hey Tomo! First of all great video, I think it’s really helpful to hear that even someone as positive and a great player as you also has dealt with anxiety. Thank you so much for sharing Tomo, these videos you’ve been doing discussing topics have been amazing!
You're very welcome! I am a human! Proud to be not perfect.
Thanks so much Tomo! I’ve had anxiety/depression in the past and thankfully have learned to manage it- talking about it was really what helped me even though it was the absolute last thing I wanted to do. Hopefully you’ve encouraged others to talk and realise they aren’t alone. I always appreciate your positivity and your open handed teaching through Guitar Wisdom, thank you so much and lots of love as always from bonnie Scotland! 👍🎸💥🤘
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing! I am doing pretty good! I love working for my Guitar Wisdom.
In many cases I just ran away from it to release the pressure. Disappointment in yourself as a result. Prepare and do it (fearful situation) brings me the best result. Take that opportunity, write that letter, make that phone Call, go to that party, make that flight, etc. The result (in my case) becomes a happy moment. It don't have to be perfect. Nobody is.✌ (Still talking partly to myself)
Thanks for sharing. I always expected too high! From that, what I get? A huge disappointment. Yes, I don't use "Perfect" "Absolute" words when i am teaching.
Thank you for sharing, Tomo. I had a severe problem with this when I was a teenager and young adult. What helped me was:
-Practicing slow breathing from the diaphragm-out-breath twice as long as the in-breath. I counted 4 for the in-breath and 8 for the out-breath, but any count is fine as long as it’s slow.
-Practicing progressive muscle relaxation. I practiced both this and the breathing every day when I was calm and eventually I developed the reflex to both slow down my breathing and relax my muscles when I was stressed too.
-Total acceptance of whatever I’m feeling as a physical sensation, just letting it wash through me as I calm my breath and body (principle of what you resist persists). This helps for pain too.
-Good life hygiene like you said-good sleep, avoiding junk food and substances, and regular exercise (very important).
-Positive mindset, also like you say. Being kind to myself, not worrying or comparing. SO important!
-And here’s one of the most important things. I know it sounds “woo,” but this really changed my life: standing in my own light and radiating love to everyone and every thing (including the furniture! 😊) around me. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, just use your imagination and let yourself believe it’s real (or just fake it till you make it). A lot of creative people are very sensitive and empathic and we pick up other people’s energy and take it on to ourselves, so sometimes when we feel anxious out of nowhere it’s not because we’re crazy but because we’re picking up on someone else’s distress without realizing it! Standing in our own light and radiating love is a protection-it allows us to sense what’s happening around us without taking it on to ourselves. The other stuff I mentioned before was helpful and important but this has had the most positive impact on my life. I haven’t had an episode in more than 20 years. If you want to learn more about that, I suggest reading the book “Working with Subtle Energies” by David Spangler.
I have also had good results from simplifying my life, throwing out stuff I don’t need, and cleaning and organizing my home. There’s a saying “As above, so below”-just like taking care of our inner self helps make our material life and environment better, also taking care of our material environment and life helps our inner selves.
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for sharing! Very important! Yes! Simplify things will help a lot. Now I do my fast walk, stretching & workout...5-6 days a week. This has been really helping me.
Don’t worry
Don’t compare
Don’t expect too fast
Be kind to yourself
www.osiamo.com/Pickboy-Wisdom-Picks-by-Tomo-Fujita
Thank you for opening up like this. I agree with your point that when we are tired things can do downhill quickly. I had anxiety attacks as a youngster, then really bad after combat service in Vietnam (1967). After a lot of searching I have found a great resource from Japan to handle it. It's the study of the writings of Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.
You're welcome! Thank you for sharing. Glad to hear that.
Tomo you are the best, always stay positive!
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your story about anxiety. My uncle Peter Heine was director of advertising for Billboard Magazine he started in New York in 1965 after working for Warner Brothers music. His wife Eylse Kraft was director of research and marketing for Billboard Magazine. Peter eventually moved to LA and was director of advertising at 9000 Sunset right across from the Roxy at 9009 Sunset. I grew up with the junkies in the recording studio starting at 13- running the vacuum cleaner and taking out the trash. Later I set microphones and cleaned and degaussed the 16 track Ampex. I was always around people that would become famous or people that were famous. So once you meet somebody they become a person.
Swimming in David Geffen's pool at 12. Meeting Paul McCartney at 13.
Hanging with Elton John at 15.
Introduced to Alan and Marilyn Bergman at Billboards Performing Artist of the Year Awards in 1974.
Once you meet somebody they become a person. Peter told me "they are regular people with exceptional jobs." My anxiety came later when I had to get away from drugs and rock and roll. I have 3 undergraduate degrees the last one from UC Davis with a major in Biochemistry. I suffered from test anxiety. Calculus, P-chemistry, the behavior of macromolecules and their three-dimensional confirmations. I have test anxiety dreams to this day. I'm in an exam room. I have prepared for the test. I have studied the topic backwards and forwards and I mind blank. I can't pull up the equations. Or I remember the last part of the equation and I get the answer but that doesn't count because I didn't provide the first part of the integration. This is what I do. The truth is there so much stress in my waking life from what I have to do to make my life work. From the people I come in contact with and have to interact with. So I started eliminating stress factors. And that included staying away from people and isolating. One of my best friend's wife is this stress goddess. With her it's always drama trauma and that's just a form of manipulation. Some people have stress vortexes and you can get sucked in. I'm not stressed out about who I am I'm stressed out about interfacing with others.
So when I get stressed out I step out of character. I go to some small town where nobody knows me and have a cup of coffee. I just watch and listen to other people and I drop into the supporting actor category.
Forget about swinging by wardrobe and getting in character and pleasing other people. I'm certain that most people commit suicide because of what others have done to them. Also music was never very regimented. I'm a crummy musician.
I'm an excellent lyricist. Let' some arranger do the music. I became a Wordsmith. You can sit at home and polish a lyric. Play with your train-set and build model airplanes. When you write something worth stealing then you can sell it. Let somebody else take the pig to market. Recording anxiety- that has to do with how much you're paying for recording time and who you are working with.
You don't have to play anything else but what you're recording so you only have to be good at what your recording. If recording time isn't very expensive then you feel comfortable doing another take or you nail it the first time. The idea that you're the disappointment at the end of somebody else's expectations that sucks. If too much is riding on the outcome that's not a very creative environment. Live performance anxiety- hey they're not going to eat you. Go out there and fuck it up early. Running a band on the street- it takes 12 hours to turn a three-hour gig. 3 hours to load everything from the studio into the truck. You got to drive to the gig- 3 hours to set everything up. You play the gig- they're drunk and your tired. 3 hours to tear everything down and load it into the truck and haul it back to the recording studio. Then you sleep till noon the next day. The equipment sits in the truck for 3 days. Then you have to unload all that crap and put it back in the studio and set it up in the studio. Stop doing the things that stress you out. Only hang out with people that bring you pleasure.
Hold your thumbs and your forfingers together. Take three deep cleansing breaths. As you exhale on the 3rd breath repeat the stress-reduction mantra-
"Fuck them they can all go to hell."
It's supposed to be fun. If it's not fun you're doing it wrong. Stop trying.
What will set you apart from being just another struggling musician is to stop struggling. If you're any good they're going to come for you.
Yes it's true. Like a beautiful girl with a nice ass. I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. Bruce Springsteen wanted to be a famous rich rockstar. That's some thin shit. Don't just give them a rockstar give them a legend. My Uncle Peter
"Do you want to be the monkey or the organ grinder. Wouldn't you rather be the person that sells the organs?" Every generation throws a hero up the pop charts. This has nothing to do with how good you are as a musician. It has to do with how early you got in line and whether or not you have a parking space with a major entertainment company.
Tomo I enjoy you immensely.
Figure out what's causing you anxiety and kick it out of your life.
It must be very difficult being Japanese and coming to this screwed-up facade they call America. There has to be a connection between the head the heart and the hands. Dexter's not stressed. Take care and be well.
Thanks for sharing! You had incredible experiences in your life. Thanks for this great lesson. America is very interesting place! I am so honored that America accepted me. I am so thankful. This is so incredible that I am communicating with many people (with my English as 2nd language) Thank you!!
@@TomoFujitaMusic I accept you Tomo. I appreciate you. I'm doing much better musically thanks to you.
Thank you for all you do. I hope your heart is full of joy. I hope your day is full of laughter. I find this whole place ridiculous. Have a great day
@@ericheine2414 Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing Tomo. Anxiety is a worry for my son, I'll recommend he watches this video.
You're welcome! Please listen him a lot. Please don't ask too much!
Don’t worry
Don’t compare
Don’t expect too fast
Be kind to yourself
tomofujitamusic.creator-spring.com/
@@TomoFujitaMusic thanks Tomo.
My favorite thing about this channel is that you always take your time to help us and answer our comments and questions. Thank you Tomo you are very positive influence to a lot of people on here.
So happy to hear that! I really enjoy reading everyone's comments. I am so fortunate. You're welcome!
Thank you for this Mr Fujita.
When someone who’s skills and craft seem beyond attainable reveals their vulnerabilities and struggles,
it inspires people beyond their self imposed horizons.
You're welcome! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing story.
You know i started playing guitar when i was 30. It has been a struggle. Im 63 now. Now my hands and fingers dont do what i want them to do now that it seems i know more but my fingers will not make those stretches.
I have never had lessons. I am self taught. 5 years ago i got melanoma cancer. I had 2 surgeries and almost died. I had 13 months of treatments.
Last September i had prostrate cancer and another surgery. Then i had complications which i thought i was going to die.
Then i got better then i had another complications from surgery called a lymphocel. Now im dealing with that.
My melanoma surgery i had 5 years ago doctor siad i would never play guitar again. But i worked hard at therapy exercises and was able to play guitar again.
I have never had any kind of support with my guitar playing. It seems like everybody just wants me to stop playing guitar .
But i made my mind up im going to keep playing guitar no matter what.
I try to play everyday.
I just feel like no one anywhere wants me to play guitar.
No one thinks that guitar playing is important to me.
Anyway i dont have anxiety. I just have stress and pressure from people that seems like their not interested in my guitar hobby.
Anyway guitar is way more important to me then anyone knows and that makes me sad.
But when i play guitar it makes me happy and i get joy from playing guitar.
Playing guitar is so fun and satisfying that i can not explain it.
Anyway you probably don't want to hear problem.
Tomo i hope you have a blessed day.
Thank you for sharing your story.. 👍👋
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing! You can practice a few foundation. (I do this routine everyday so I feel comfortable and be positive. Almost meditation!) 1) Chromatic Scale 2) Triads 3) R37 Swing rhythm guitar... each topic need to do with very specific ways. These will gives you a joy, confidence, easy, possibilities, be positive! Many ways on guitar playing! Please enjoy it! I Thank you!
@@TomoFujitaMusic
Your kind...
Thank you!👋
I was in two accidents where I was almost killed by drunk drivers. I was hit from behind in excess of 55 mph, neither accident hit their breaks… in the first accident I went half way through the windshield. The second one was almost the same. Since 2001 I had been going through hell. I suffered life long debilitating injuries. My entire live was destroyed both times.
When I was little I was bullied by the New Kids On The Block. I was stuffed under the bus seat and made to ride all the way to school on the floor not allowed to get up the entire bus ride. They went on to become the New Kids on the Block. I became a drummer at 13 when my dad died… I was adopted. So I played the drums. Then guitar, then bass, then vocals, recording, producing. I owned my own studio. I reached the top of the independent music scene. I got to work with and produce many bands artists and musicians. Now I’m semi retired and an accident victim and victim of abuse. I suffer PTSD, OCD… as well as GAD general anxiety disorder. but I still play… a lot….. I’m about to make a record. I look to you for inspiration. I’m in therapy and deal with the abuse from NKOTB every week. It is one of the worst things ever to happen to me could you imagine having been beaten up by Donnie Whalberg and Danny Wood of the new kids on the block??? and become a musician??? And an accident victim. My life has been a sad disaster. But I never give up. One day my music shall be heard and they will know that they never destroyed my spirit. I deal with it in therapy every week.
Try and imagine being beaten up by the new kids on the block and being a musician. Think about what I went through. 😢
I have recorded over 2000 tracks. Since I’m a multi instrumentalist you can multiply the amount of tracks I played for each cut. So maybe I’m in the running for most music ever recorded. It’s all I’ve done since 2001 to keep my sanity is record.
Much Love
Thanks for sharing. I was hit by car from behind when I stopped the red light. My 1967 ES335 was with me too. You are so brave! Great job! Yes! never give up! Very important for believing yourself. Thank you!
Dear Tomo, that was comforting . Appreciate it so much for what you've share.
Thanks for sharing! You're welcome!
I have your same problem Tomo, and I am developing many antidotes. All your tips are great: get prepared in advance, sleep, healthier living...Also conscious breathing and meditation help!
Thanks for sharing! Great to hear that.
I started getting migraines from stressful work in my late 40’s. I was able to go part time which gives my more time to play guitar and other things. Migraines slowly went away. You have to listen to you body and not just force things.
Thanks for sharing. Please enjoy your guitar playing!
Been following your guitar wisdom for years loving learning from you! You inspire me to keep learning and not put myself down! As someone who struggles with anxiety and panic attacks thanks for sharing your story learned a lot of new coping skills
Thank you so much! So happy to hear that! We are all humans!
Very Cool, Thankyou for sharing your story. I too suffer Anxiety and Depression. But find getting lost in music helps me. All the best.
Thanks for sharing!
Tomo, thank you for your honesty. It is amazing how many of us have dealt with, or are dealing with anxiety. It does help to talk about it and how each of us deal with it. You will never know how many people that you have touched and helped, but I am sure it will touch many.
You're welcome! Thank you!
Tomo, you share beauty and bring joy. Please accept our gratitude and love in return.
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing your experience. Anxiety attacks make me forget guitar parts in the middle of playing a song, it's terrible but we do learn how to live with it and make the most out of it.
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing,
I've admired your playing for years, little did I know you were such a good, honest, kind, and sensible person too, Mr Fujita.
I hope soon I'll get the chance to subscribe to your program to learn guitar, it would be an honor to have someone like you as a teacher.
Thank you for what you do and for sharing your stories. I'd love to hear more conversational videos from you.
Thank you so much! Please join my Guitar Wisdom. You're welcome!
Truly amazing and such a brave person you are to share. I suffer from anxiety also. It can make you worry and it can hurt physically sometimes. It does pass with time and learning how to control it and live with it gives you your power and life back. Awesome vid and hoping it helps someone! 🤘🔥
Thank you! Thanks for sharing! You can control this!
I also had a Japanese guitar teacher who made me lose confidence in my guitar playing. He used to say "why you can't do it?" and almost never praised anything I I did. Maybe it's the traditional Japanese style, but it actually made me lose my motivation a lot and understand how a bad teacher can negatively affect you.
Hard ass styke? That wont work nowadays. Thank you for sharing.
Encouragement is so important!
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and mind." .
Thank you for sharing!
Great video indeed; I know anxiety very, very well indeed and I had to learn how to deal with it throughout my entire life and that's why I feel tremendous respect and admiration for you. And just like you, I've never allowed this "wild beast" to wreck my life or stop me from doing the things that I want. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience and setting such a precious example.
Thanks so much! Thanks for sharing! You can live it peacefully! Almost I have this... but I don't use it. Because this, I am careful on many things so I am thankful.
I’ve been on a hiatus from my musical career for the last 4 years because of high anxiety. Anxiety, along with the other issues that it brings, have the potential to totally drain the joy out of your life.
Thank you for sharing your story and I hope you’re doing well!
Thanks for sharing. You can live with this. Make you healthy. You're welcome!
@Eduardo Zanchi Official Channel I hope you can find some peace and get back to your musical passions.
@@kerbyfab Thank you for your kind words!
One love tomo , I too have attacks and it is as scary as a heart attack or watching my guitar hit the floor , helplessly.
We as brothers and sisters should learn to love one another and empathize with each others short falls.
Peace, love and granola✌️
Thanks for sharing! Thank you!
Listening to you lowers my anxiety levels.
So happy to hear that! Thank you!
Another great lesson. Your passion inspires me daily Fujita San, I hope whenever you feel anxious or down you can reflect on how many peoples lives you improve daily! ❤
Thank you so much! Hope this will help many people.
Thank you for sharing this, Tomo! I can completely relate. I have been suffering from anxiety and panic disorder since the 80's and maybe before (not sure). It has kept me from experiencing and being a better person. It also keeps me from playing guitar with other people. The anticipation leads to such intense feelings that I just stay away from it. I have been to a therapist and that really helps. The only way that I can take the edge off is by taking anxiety meds. Again, thank you so much for sharing your story. It does help others 🙂
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing! My guitar is my therapist! And our cats! My wife!
I have the same thing. If I don't get sleep, I feel like I get overwhelmed by stress hormones and it can snowball. So we are the same that way. I need to practice the guitar more so we become the same in that respect too. I have more natural talent for anxiety than guitar and music so I have to practice more.
Thank you for sharing! In a way, I am glad that I had anxiety attack so that I take care of myself better! Eat better, sleep better... all good way!
I so much appreciate this conversation. I have been overcoming anxiety issues my whole life (I am 53). A couple of times I ended up passing out and in the hospital. People in my life tried their best to understand but they didn't. Thanks for sharing a very personal and misunderstood issue. Every person has something they are dealing with, we should be compassionate and respectful of that.
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing! We are humans & proud to be not perfect!
I’m a minute or so in, I’m already tearing up. I feel like giving up… seconds at a time, sometimes.
Life is struggle and always ups & downs. Thanks for sharing.
Don’t worry
Don’t compare
Don’t expect too fast
Be kind to yourself
tomofujitamusic.creator-spring.com/
Thanks for sharing, these are important topics. What I've learned is that the harder I fight anxiety, the harder it hits me, the more I accept anxiety, the less it hits me. It's still there, and sometimes almost feels incapacitating, but it's definitely become something I can live with since I stopped fighting it. Meditation was instrumental for me in this. I would love the hear what your anxiety "sounds" like if you had channel it through your guitar, as my anxiety is often a source of inspiration. I can find do so cathartic.
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing! Play slow blues!
My anxiety doubling down is what brought me back to playing guitar
So happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing Tomo 😊. You are a truly great person and it shows. I am 43 and have struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life. Currently having a really bad couple of days so this is nice to hear that I am not alone. Btw I attended Music Tech/McNally Smith in Minneapolis around 2000 and we had some teachers from Berklee too. I am really enjoying your videos. Thank you! Much ❤
You're very welcome! Thank you for sharing! Don't pay attention too much! We all have ups & downs! We are not perfect! That's okay! Glad to hear that you enjoyed my videos . Thank you so much!
Hi, I think you're a very nice person (and good guitar teacher and player as well), not so many people share personal experience and thinking in a sincere and honest way. I'm pretty sure that your thinking and advices might help other people. Music and guitar, like many other human activities, may be very stressing, so the key in the life is to be capable of dealing properly with stress, not an easy task sometimes. Keep on an good luck!!!
Thanks so much for your kind words.
Hi Tomo! I've been following your channel almost since the beginning. You are a huge inspiration to me! When I was applying for the highest level of music school in my country, I had an anxiety attack during my audition. It meant everything to me, to get into that school. But because of my anxiety attack, I performed at the lowest perfomance I could've done, even though my skill level was about good enough to get in... I even had to stop my second song, mid song, because of the anxiety... And afterwards I had to speak with the teachers. And even though I told them I had an anxiety attack right in front of them, they still told me I probably never should pursue music in my life... They told me that music is not for everybody... It crushed all my dreams of becomming a guitar teacher, which was what I always wanted to do. It's been about 6 years since that day. And my anxiety made me give up on ever trying to audition again for music school... I learned that I didn't want to be in environment, where the teachers and students all had a perfectionistic mentallity. It was too much pressure... So I gave up on my dream, even though I probably could've pushed through... Seeing you succeed so much with music, even though you suffered with so much anxiety is really inspiring. You truely are one of the worlds greats! Keep up the good work!
So happy to hear that! Thank you so much! Thanks for sharing. You can control this. They said "You should control this then you can do what you wish. Just dry answer so don't take peoples opinions. You can change that! Many pro musicians has anxiety attacks but they are prepared & they can handle it. Teaching job is amazing too! You can make people happy!
Response to Martin Schmeltz ..
Heartbreaking to read please give yourself another chance. There are other avenues to persue. That was probably the wrong school for you and they did you a favor. Your time and money are valuable don't waste them on this school.
You know something? It takes a lot of courage to talk about something so personal. Especially knowing how cruel some people can be. I too suffer from this. It hasn't been easy. Some days are really difficult, but playing my guitar helps keep away the negative and brings in the positive.
I'm glad I found your music and I also hope to learn from you as well.
God bless you.
Thank you so much! I just want everyone feel more comfortable!
I can relate so much.. I felt anexiety for the first time when I was 15 years old and didn´t feel like was fitting in in school, at a moment, from nowhere, I felt like the lonliest person in the world even if I had lots of people around me and at that moment I didn´t know what that feeling was. I just really believed every one hated me even if I now realize that it was me pulling away from the people around me in school because of trouble at home. The only classes I liked in School was music and art, but I did not go to a music school even if I studdied until 24 years old. At 16 my friend introduced guitar to me and i'm still thankful for that, music is a great complement to therapy I believe. However I also found the best theapist (after a few less good therapists) and she gave me advises (physical assignments) that I practice every day. Now I have even managed to perform on stage!
Thanks for sharing. I totally felt that strong when I was in middle school. I was not fit with normal kids! Yes.Music is so supportive without opinions or judgement. Guitar is so amazing! Good job!
Great story! Everyone has their own baggage that they carry, and it is that baggage that makes that individual special! The baggage that you carry has made you an amazing guitar player, as well as an amazing teacher and human being! Don’t worry about what people think about you! Not everyone is perfect! You have taught so many people many things that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives! You just keep being you and keep doing what you do, because that’s your thing and you do it extremely well!! As your shirt says “Don’t worry, be kind to yourself “!
Thank you! Thanks for sharing! Well said!
Firstly, I want to thank you for having the courage and candor to share something so deeply personal! I am no stranger to anxiety and while I have only had 1-2 full-blown anxiety attacks in my life, it's been a part of my life and increasingly so in the last years. It seems like a more recent decision to be more open about personal things (if the video about gear is any indication) and again I applaud you because responses on social media can be tough to deal with. I always had the stupid notion that Japanese culture is very buttoned up in this regard: one does not ever share one's feelings and innermost personal thoughts. How wrong I was! Apologies. You are a special human being, Tomo-San. I appreciate you. 共 ありがとう ございます
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing. Thank you so much!
I followed you all the way but I could not get rid of anxiety when playing in front of people. thank you.
Thank you so much! It will take some time to prepare & try things. You can prepare learning foundation & work on performance as if you were playing in front of people and record it! Learn it from. You can do it! But you cannot rush. You're welcome!
@@TomoFujitaMusic Thank you so muchTomo
I am blues /rock guitarist - bassist and i am 62 y old. I never had anxiety until i had problems at work place caused by other / rude bully people. Yes, i had depressions more times in past because of war in my country - Jugoslavia, divorce with first wife etc .But !!! Music was always with me - my main healler. ( I come from music family and started play bass guitar when 16. Now i am here - 62 of age. My atuttude after painful divorce when i was 45 years of age was : "Everyone can abandon me but music never !!! " We musicians are suptle and sensitive human beings and we think different then many other people.
Btw. I love your music, your jazzy/bluesy guitar style. I saw many your videos on Utube incuding your blues sessions with famous blues guitarists - Eric Gales and other blues guitarists , I can not remember names. Great blues sessions. I am sure music did help you a lot all these years to overcome your anxiety problems. Take care Master. 👍
Thanks for sharing. There are good people & not good people. I had similar problems. I try not ignore it. then something will come back. So I understand it clearly and I don't pay attention. Simple example, driving in high way... someone cut you off, then I just away from them and don't get angry because it won't do anything with these people. It's hard but you can look for more positive things & positive people. Music is so powerful. (I divorced once too! I left everything behind. I started over with one guitar & nothing! So I feel you very deep!) Thank you so much! Hope you will enjoy more!
I really appreciate your sharing. I deal with the same thing. Some days are better than others. Guitar helps, the gym helps, quality diet, and I study Stoicism. That is the biggest help by recognizing that I am in control of my thought process. I could go on and on…. Thanks again❤
You're welcome! I love guitar so much! Good job!