In July I spent around $150 on gas. For my little Honda Fit, that’s hundreds of miles of travel in New England, and enough hours to start and finish Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime” on audio book. It is the fascinating telling of his life during and after apartheid in South Africa. The vivid imagery and insights on race and language kept me deeply engrossed and I’ve been recommending it left and right to friends, family, and strangers. Something Noah said about comfort struck me hard as I rolled along on 295. He said, “comfort can be a floor, but it can also be a ceiling.”

Recently I found myself bumping up against my own ceiling. I was so determined to build a foundation for my business that I didn’t realize that my living situation, which was once a needed floor, also featured very thin walls and a landlord who lived upstairs. He requested that I didn’t make music before noon. I complied, but later realized I was losing 15 to 20 hours of working time each week. I began to feel like an unwelcome guest in my home and my most productive working hours were lost.

A scarcity mindset would keep me in the apartment despite the ceiling. Cheap rent! Great location! Great roommates! But comfort can be a floor and a ceiling. I knew that if I was going to keep growing as a musician and business owner, I needed to have time and space to do what I do, without apology.

So, I moved. As a musician, I make noise. I found a new floor, and eventually I’m sure I’ll meet its ceiling. For now, I’ve got my 20 hours of music making back. Thanks, Mr. Noah. Picture of my actual ceiling included in case you need a visual.