Sarah Nichols Voice

I was saying to myself out loud last night, “I am 34 years old now,” just to make it feel more real, and it honestly doesn’t. It’s really hard to fathom being on this earth for that number of years.

But a lot of things are to be celebrated about reaching this moment in my life. I’ll list a few:

- I have become braver. I’m less afraid to stand up for myself and others.
- I am a better listener and communicator, both professionally and personally.
- I am finally in a place where contributing to my financial health is tangible and actionable.
- With the support of my colleagues at work and in , I am learning to trust myself and my abilities through stepping into more leadership-like positions.
- And last, but not at all least, I have the most dreamy and perfect partner I could ever wish for, . Every day feels like it brings us closer together, even though we live far apart (for now).

I am grateful for the health and happiness of my family and friends today. My community means more and more to me with each passing year. I am taking this 34th birthday to celebrate that, along with giving myself a lot of love and care. 🥰

*These photos were all taken by Adrien during our wonderful trip to Mexico in the summer… I should probably make an official post about that trip at some point… 🙃

Today was a lovely, sunny day in the woods of Crownsville, Maryland.

I spent the day with ’s actors, watching their STREETspeare scenes and taking dialect notes. It’s a joy to watch these talented performers and wander around Revel Grove before they open to the public in two weeks.

To top it off, the weather up in Maryland/DC was absolutely divine this weekend. Hands down one of my favorite moments of the summer.

Tomorrow is my love ’s birthday - and today he and his band BCKRMS (stands for “backrooms”) play their very first show. I was never a Progressive Metal listener before, but I gotta say… has written some insanely impressive stuff. 😮‍💨

I am so proud of Adrien and all he has accomplished this year. Being a full-time musician and making it work is no small feat, but he’s doing it… And doing it successfully. It inspires me every day. He deserves all the beautiful things coming to him. ❤️

We just spent two action-packed weeks together in Savannah, jamming with new friends and visiting nearby destinations. This birthday boy brings the best vibes wherever he goes. ✨

It kills me that I can’t be there in Salt Lake City for his big show tonight, but we’ll be meeting again at the end of the month… in Mexico 😏🇲🇽

Today is my one-year anniversary of beginning my role as a Communication Coach with SCADamp at Savannah College of Art and Design.

One year of helping students discover their voices and amplify their stories. One year of working with a team of inspiring, talented, and special humans. One year of teaching workshops, coaching individuals, and critiquing presentations - all things I was doing as a freelancer - but as a full-time salaried employee.

Both fortunate and proud are how I feel today. I am grateful for this experience and excited for the continued growth to come.

I am positively honored to be this month’s guest on “In a Manner of Speaking” with the legendary Paul Meier!!

A heartfelt thanks to and Cameron Meier for bringing me on and having a vested interest in the topic of bridging the gap between voice coaches and sound designers in the theatre - a subject I’ve been passionate about since my time in London.

As my professional journey continues, I plan on furthering this research and contributing my findings to the field of voice and speech (and theatre at large). Getting to share my knowledge on this podcast episode is an exciting step toward that goal.

Give it a listen at www.paulmeier.com and let me know your thoughts!

It’s been a delightful, rainy Savannah weekend with the parents celebrating my mom. 🥰

Happy Mother’s Day, !!!!

Yesterday, we lost our Kiwi.

She was the sweetest, cuddliest kitty I’ve ever had. She was so sweet, even my friends who aren’t cat people fell in love with her. She was always keen on a good snuggle session and loved being held.

We found her at a shelter in Orlando in late 2008. We knew she was going to be ours because she fell right into our arms as soon as she met us. Once we had officially chosen her, and the shelter did their routine checkup, they found an abscess on the back of her neck and had to remove it before sending her home with us. In adopting her when we did, we saved her life.

This loss is a hard one. When you’ve felt an animal give you their soul, it’s especially painful to know that their soul has left this realm. It devastated me that I could not be present for her final moments - they happened unexpectedly and so fast - but she died peacefully in my mother’s arms, swaddled in a warm towel, surrounded by my dad and our dog

Kiwi was the best. I never got enough cuddles from her, nor she from me. I don’t think that will ever change.

I am reminded, every single day, of how lucky I am to have such an incredible partner.

In the year and a half we’ve been together, we’ve done and seen so many exciting, inspiring, and fulfilling things. I can’t wait for many more years of that with you.

I love you, Adrien. Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️

Family Christmas Party 2024 💚❤️

Age 33 is here, and I’m in JAPAN for it - what’s more, I’m going to DisneySea today!!!

Both grateful and proud are what I’m feeling as I reflect on 32. Usually I list a number of accomplishments, but this time it’s pretty clear what 32 brought: a big ol’ move from Washington, DC to Savannah, GA to begin a full-time Communication Coach position at Savannah College of Art and Design.

In January, I had JUST moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Northwest DC - the first time I’d had an apartment all to myself. The home I found felt special, and earned, after four years of freelancing in DC and watching the seeds of my hard work finally start to grow and bloom.

By February, I had completed my final interview at SCAD and was shortly thereafter offered the job. By the end of June - only 5 months after moving into my new DC apartment - I was out of it and on my way to Savannah.

It has been a whirlwind, no doubt. The unanticipated ending of my DC chapter still stings sometimes, but the humility it takes to discover a new city and establish a home in it is something I deeply value. Savannah is a beautiful town - I frequently pinch myself because of where I go to work every weekday. And I love the work that I do. I feel, in the four months I’ve been on the job so far, that I have already made a significant impact on a number of students. This reminder of the WHY of what I do fuels me forward. And my team is an inspiring group of humans. I feel honored to work alongside them and, now, call them my friends.

So, here we are. In a slower city, in a simpler lifestyle. My challenge to my now 33-year-old self is to lean into this giant shift in pace. Maybe there are parts of my identity, constructed over the years, that I can shed to make room for new and shiny ones.

I cannot end this post without expressing my deepest appreciation for my dearest Adrien, who shares in my desire to learn, grow, and experience. I am spending my birthday with the most incredible partner, in the most incredible country, on the most incredible trip. That’s the best birthday gift I could ever receive, and that’s what I’m thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day. ❤️

I’m going to try taking a month off of Instagram… perhaps social media in general. It’s been more of a distraction and nuisance than a benefit. I feel privileged not to need it to market myself these days.

But I am well and enjoying Savannah! Loving the job and my incredible team. Grateful for this new chapter and excited for all the growth it will bring.

Before bowing out temporarily, I would like to drop a few shots from my recent trip to Minneapolis with for his cousin’s wedding. It was our first time there and y’all… it’s FUN. We loved it and would absolutely live there.

I plan to return in a month or two with some epic travel pics to share 😉🤫 ta ta for now!