Singing class #3

What I find most difficult about singing is that I actually have to unlearn a couple of things I've been doing wrong for like my entire life. I'm very vulnerable for stress and whenever I'm a bit unsure of myself or get tensed, I tend to cramp my muscles – also the ones that should stay in rest at all times, like my vocal chords. Singing is liberating and as relaxing as your everyday workout when done properly. Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to do it quite as proper as it should. I've been singing with my chest voice for years and moved into the habit of straining my voice to reach the high notes, instead of switching to head voice. Now I have to sing everything in head voice, but still I strain to reach the high notes, which makes those sounds sharp and harsh. I think it's partly due to insecurity with what I'm singing and if I'll be able to reach those high notes (an insecurity that leads to tension of the wrong muscles), but also because I've learned myself I can reach those notes by putting power behind the singing instead of air (more air through the vocal chords has the same effect as straining them, but without the bad effects – you simply put the strain on the rest of your body). I'm learning step by step, one high note at a time.