So Mitch, describe one of your typical practice sessions.
When I sit down to practice, I usually go through a simple warm-up routine to loosen me up - focusing mostly on my hands (especially during the winter months) and my shoulders. Then I do some rolls on my snare and a few basic rudiments to hone me into my kit. Then I usually get down to what I want/need to learn. If I'm feeling kind of of randy, I'll give into guilty pleasures and play what
I want.
I don't have a gig to practice for at the moment (it's been about 7 weeks since I've done that).
I'll be on the lookout for the black helicopters, BTW. ;-)
I had this recently, lasted around 6 months or so. Still thought about drums all day long, bought stuff for the kit.
Just couldn't be motivated to practice. I'm kept busy with gigs.......
No apologies necessary for the "essay." I'm dealing with everything you wrote about (except the gig part). I just need to make myself get back in the saddle and do it. I want to, but I don't want to at the same time.
You should never feel guilty about not practicing, for most of us drumming is a pleasurable pastime, not a job. Play when you feel like it, its supposed to be enjoyable. I sometimes force myself to sit and practice, and guess what? I get little constructive out of it.
Its not a chore to beat yourself up about, when the passion returns go with it and enjoy.
I don't feel guilty - maybe that's one of the problems. I love playing my drums. It activates the pleasure center in my brain, makes me feel focused and in tune with the world around me, and I enjoy life more because of it.
The last time I played, I wasn't really bored with my practice routine. In fact, I can say that I was still enjoying it. I did decide to take a brief respite because I needed the skin on my left thumb next to the edge of the nail to heal. That made leading and playing my hi-hat really painful.
The thumb healed and I haven't done crap since.
Edit: Just another piece of information - do with it what you will, my confidence level is iffy at best right now. I fell like a real pu$$y saying that.