One of the rather surprising truths about being a classical singer is that so many singers end up treating music like a job, and are less involved as listener, reader and audience member as life goes on.  Stretched by crazy schedules and limited finances, traffic patterns and sheer exhaustion, getting to a friend's concert, reading the newspaper, and listening to recordings can often seem more chore than joy. 

However, depriving yourself of what is, hopefully, the  original reason you became a musician can be  disorienting in an already demanding existence.  This self-imposed isolation from your own profession can have detrimental effects., and the reverse is also true:  reconnecting can restore a great deal of goodwill toward your profession.  Take a moment to assess your own recent involvement in other people's projects: