🎭 Who I Am And Why I Write Music
I didn’t start writing music because I thought I’d be great at it.
I started because I didn’t know how else to survive.
The world had chewed me up and spit me out, and I was searching for purpose and meaning in this whirlwind that had become my life. Divorce. Job loss. Depression. It all piled on faster than I could take. My family was there. What few friends I have were there. They’ve always supported me. I’m so grateful for them. But there was a void left in the wake of my first love loss that nothing could fill.
So…
Every night I couldn’t sleep – I wrote.
Every day I couldn’t feel – I wrote.
Every meal I couldn’t eat – I wrote.
It started with poetry. I needed those tangible pieces of expression. They refilled my soul in a way nothing else could. Cuz I had things to say. Words I needed to get out that I couldn’t speak. Words between me and myself. And so, they flowed out of me and into journals, as I tried to pick up the pieces of myself and reshape them into something recognizable. And what I realized part way through doing that, is those pieces would never form the same person. No matter how tightly I fit them back together, the cracks still show.
But I’m learning to love the new me, cracks and all.
And realizing that life has highs and lows, and that we are who we are, because of the lows too. Because of that, I wouldn’t change anything that has happened. It’s led me here to this thing that I love. To Music.
Music has long been recognized for its powerful therapeutic effects, helping individuals cope with emotional struggles like depression, grief, and trauma. For many, music writing is more than just creating melodies and lyrics; it is a vital tool for emotional survival and self-healing. The process of channeling emotions through songwriting can help people voice feelings they find difficult to express verbally, providing relief and clarity during challenging times. Practicing music therapy techniques, such as lyric writing and composition, can lead to enhanced mental health by fostering self-awareness and emotional release. When someone writes music during moments of insomnia, emotional numbness, or loss of appetite, it becomes a daily ritual that nurtures the soul and reconstructs fractured identity. This personal journey from despair to creative fulfillment highlights the universal truth that our hardships shape us. Embracing the 'cracks' or imperfections in ourselves—as seen in the evolution of one's songwriting—offers acceptance and growth. The hashtags #musictherapy and #mentalhealth underscore how music can serve as both an emotional outlet and a healing tool. Moreover, the supportive presence of family and friends, although invaluable, sometimes cannot fill the void left by trauma and loss. Creating art, particularly music, fills that gap by offering a space for private dialogue with oneself. This unique dialogue helps individuals regain purpose and meaning when life feels chaotic. If you are struggling with your own emotional hardships, consider using music or other creative outlets as a form of self-care. Writing poetry or music not only preserves your story but also empowers you to love and accept the new version of yourself that emerges from life’s challenges.
