Ep 42: 5 Tips to Stop Perfectionism Holding Back Your Harping episode artwork

EPISODE · May 26, 2026 · 16 MIN

Ep 42: 5 Tips to Stop Perfectionism Holding Back Your Harping

from How To Harp Podcast · host How To Harp

Heather explores how perfectionism can show up for adult harp learners, and why trying to get everything “right” can sometimes hold back your progress, confidence and enjoyment.She shares five helpful ways to think about perfectionism, from allowing yourself to be a beginner to seeing mistakes as useful information, aiming for progress instead of perfection, and learning to speak to yourself with more kindness.In this episode:• Why adult learners often expect themselves to be good quickly• How perfectionism can lead to avoidance• Why mistakes are an important part of learning• How to aim for better instead of perfect• Why music is about communication, expression and feeling• The importance of changing the voice in your head• How to approach your harp practice with more curiosity and kindnessThis is a practical and encouraging solo episode about letting go of impossible standards and finding more joy, freedom and progress in your harping.Host:Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To HarpLearn with us:https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow and helps us connect with more harpists around the world!#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpPractice #Perfectionism

Heather explores how perfectionism can show up for adult harp learners, and why trying to get everything “right” can sometimes hold back your progress, confidence and enjoyment.She shares five helpful ways to think about perfectionism, from allowing yourself to be a beginner to seeing mistakes as useful information, aiming for progress instead of perfection, and learning to speak to yourself with more kindness.In this episode:• Why adult learners often expect themselves to be good quickly• How perfectionism can lead to avoidance• Why mistakes are an important part of learning• How to aim for better instead of perfect• Why music is about communication, expression and feeling• The importance of changing the voice in your head• How to approach your harp practice with more curiosity and kindnessThis is a practical and encouraging solo episode about letting go of impossible standards and finding more joy, freedom and progress in your harping.Host:Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To HarpLearn with us:https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow and helps us connect with more harpists around the world!#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpPractice #Perfectionism

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Ep 42: 5 Tips to Stop Perfectionism Holding Back Your Harping

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This episode is 16 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 26, 2026.

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Heather explores how perfectionism can show up for adult harp learners, and why trying to get everything “right” can sometimes hold back your progress, confidence and enjoyment.She shares five helpful ways to think about perfectionism, from allowing...

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