I'm getting that stir-crazy feeling that generally means I need to make a change in my life. I suppose I've had it for a while, which is why I posted months ago that I had decided to go back for a doctorate in music. But now I'm not so ready to commit to that.I'm happiest when I am doing something creative in collaboration with others. For instance, working on The Willow Maiden as a ballet, directing a production or recital of my students, performing in an opera, teaching voice in an environment where I can interact and collaborate with other instructors, and working with other writers in critique groups or workshops. Writing is a solitary vocation, which is one reason I know I'll never really be a writer as my main career. That's ok—I never planned for it to be (well, except for maybe when I was in second grade). I'm certainly not a very prolific writer.I like challenges and feel I don't have enough of them. Much of the music I get paid to sing, I could fall out of bed and sing without bothering to warm up. I could challenge myself, but it gets old working on complicated repertoire and not having a place to sing it. Making my own opportunities is something I need to do more often. I also work best under deadlines and with some structure, otherwise I may come up with lots of good ideas but never implement them. I've been experimenting with combining my skills in teaching music and in writing and maybe need to get more serious about an idea I've had on the back burner for a while.Having a full-time teaching position could put me in the right sort of environment where I would thrive, but it's not the only solution. I could also see myself directing opera or teaching writing, or maybe something else that hasn't occurred to me yet. But the fact of the matter is, I need to make a living. I'm doing that now, but during the school year with my more than full-time collection of part-time and freelance work, it doesn't leave me a lot of room to take classes, write, or explore different interests.Perhaps this is simply an end of summer whine. I really am looking forward to getting back into the structure of the academic year.ETA: Yep, it must be the end of summer whine thing. I did almost the exact same thing last year in this post. Heh. At least I'm predictable.