Last night, at a gathering with friends to meet a friend’s sister and her kids - her 6yo daughter disappeared downstairs and was playing a toy guitar and singing for a bit. When she came up, she did a hair flip and so matter of factly, and with a big sigh of relief, she said “singing songs relaxes me.” Yes, girl, yes. Me too. Listening to music (and singing along of course) calms and soothes my soul. Same with my 17-yo daughter. When I got her a vinyl album for her last birthday- Mitski’s Be the Cowboy, at one point she said “this music is what helped me through some rough times.” 🥹🥰 So relatable.
While music in general is calming, I agree and appreciate what you say here specifically about vinyl. It is special.
I really like your stylus/record groove analogy, Andres. When life becomes confusing, unpredictable, chaotic, and scary, I may not have answers, but I find great solace in music and art. I'm also not a sports nut, so music and art help keep me distracted.
Thank you, Michael, for your kind words. I really appreciate your comment. It’s very true: we may not have answers, but we’ll always have our music. I don’t play organised sports, but lifting weights and swimming are great outlets for me. Great you have art in addition to your music. Plus, art and music are complementary.
"Underneath it all, behind the air of defiance, piercing eyes and debonair persona, there’s just a troubled and vulnerable kid, trying to trick the pace of the world by making records spin."
Man, is this relatable!
As for not being good with directions? I had some family here this weekend, which was awesome. It was also a great reminder that I have no idea how to explain how to get anywhere in this town. "Um, it's on the other side of the Capitol" doesn't work for someone that doesn't live here. lol.
Thank you for your kind words! Glad to hear I'm not alone 😊
Directions are always so testing. I sometimes feel that walking with the individual(s) in question to wherever they want to go is easier than explaining 🤣
This is absolutely lovely Andy. Thanks for being so open and vulnerable. I’m so grateful that music exists. Music has helped get me through some of the most difficult periods of my life. But on the flip side, it’s also decorated some of the most beautiful moments of my life.
Thank you, Mark! I don't think I'd ever posted something so personal but it was something that needed to be said. Glad you enjoyed and thank you for your kind words.
Absolutely: music has always been there for us, in our darkest hour and in our brightest moments. There really isn't anything like it.
We're all part of the same club Andres! As my memoir documents, I've had anxiety my whole life. I just have learned to deal with it in various ways (thanks, in part, to many years of therapy!)
I hear you: anxiety is such a bitch. In my case, it's brought so many undersirable friends along the way, particularly in relation to my body image and overall body perception. This tends to puzzle some people as I have a stereotypically "athletic" body and I work out like a mfer day in day out. Part of what I wanted to do with this post was to normalise the conversation about body image among men which we tend to sweep under the carpet. If I had to pinpoint one thing anxiety has made a lot harder for me, this would be it.
Yes, I've never been particularly satisfied with my body either. As I get older though I can accept it and feel good about where I'm at physically, especially compared to many men my age. From the photos I've seen you look great! However I understand how hard it might feel to maintain or improve where you are at.
Thanks, Dan! Yes, I hear what you say about age making certain things easier. I've noticed that as well particularly when it comes to my self-consciousness and confidence issues.
Aw, bless, thanks! You're too kind. I do work out a lot and I'm my absolute worst critic 😂
Sounds so much like me. Perfectionism and anxiety. Therapy has helped a lot with the former and is slowly making progress on the latter. Somehow I had never drawn the connection to listening to music, but that is what I look forward to so much after a hard day at work - getting in the car for the drive home and having music to listen to, and getting home to my records. It is a shame I am not allowed to have music on at work. That might make a huge difference.
Thank you, Greg, for your comment and above all, for sharing. At least we’re not alone. Glad therapy is helping you. Bummer you can’t play music at work but, on the plus side, I bet you enjoy it more this way, as it makes it even more special.
All of this!! I feel this.
Last night, at a gathering with friends to meet a friend’s sister and her kids - her 6yo daughter disappeared downstairs and was playing a toy guitar and singing for a bit. When she came up, she did a hair flip and so matter of factly, and with a big sigh of relief, she said “singing songs relaxes me.” Yes, girl, yes. Me too. Listening to music (and singing along of course) calms and soothes my soul. Same with my 17-yo daughter. When I got her a vinyl album for her last birthday- Mitski’s Be the Cowboy, at one point she said “this music is what helped me through some rough times.” 🥹🥰 So relatable.
While music in general is calming, I agree and appreciate what you say here specifically about vinyl. It is special.
Thank you so much, Kristin. Thanks also for sharing these beautiful stories. It’s awesome your daughter has, like you, found solace in music.
Your friend’s 6yo daughter is our spirit animal! ♥️
I really like your stylus/record groove analogy, Andres. When life becomes confusing, unpredictable, chaotic, and scary, I may not have answers, but I find great solace in music and art. I'm also not a sports nut, so music and art help keep me distracted.
Thank you, Michael, for your kind words. I really appreciate your comment. It’s very true: we may not have answers, but we’ll always have our music. I don’t play organised sports, but lifting weights and swimming are great outlets for me. Great you have art in addition to your music. Plus, art and music are complementary.
"Underneath it all, behind the air of defiance, piercing eyes and debonair persona, there’s just a troubled and vulnerable kid, trying to trick the pace of the world by making records spin."
Man, is this relatable!
As for not being good with directions? I had some family here this weekend, which was awesome. It was also a great reminder that I have no idea how to explain how to get anywhere in this town. "Um, it's on the other side of the Capitol" doesn't work for someone that doesn't live here. lol.
Thank you for your kind words! Glad to hear I'm not alone 😊
Directions are always so testing. I sometimes feel that walking with the individual(s) in question to wherever they want to go is easier than explaining 🤣
Oh, I forgot to mention that we were on foot. lol.
LOL 🤣
This is absolutely lovely Andy. Thanks for being so open and vulnerable. I’m so grateful that music exists. Music has helped get me through some of the most difficult periods of my life. But on the flip side, it’s also decorated some of the most beautiful moments of my life.
Thank you, Mark! I don't think I'd ever posted something so personal but it was something that needed to be said. Glad you enjoyed and thank you for your kind words.
Absolutely: music has always been there for us, in our darkest hour and in our brightest moments. There really isn't anything like it.
We're all part of the same club Andres! As my memoir documents, I've had anxiety my whole life. I just have learned to deal with it in various ways (thanks, in part, to many years of therapy!)
Side note: Such cutey pictures!
Thank you, Dan! Glad you enjoyed the pictures ❤️
I hear you: anxiety is such a bitch. In my case, it's brought so many undersirable friends along the way, particularly in relation to my body image and overall body perception. This tends to puzzle some people as I have a stereotypically "athletic" body and I work out like a mfer day in day out. Part of what I wanted to do with this post was to normalise the conversation about body image among men which we tend to sweep under the carpet. If I had to pinpoint one thing anxiety has made a lot harder for me, this would be it.
Yes, I've never been particularly satisfied with my body either. As I get older though I can accept it and feel good about where I'm at physically, especially compared to many men my age. From the photos I've seen you look great! However I understand how hard it might feel to maintain or improve where you are at.
Thanks, Dan! Yes, I hear what you say about age making certain things easier. I've noticed that as well particularly when it comes to my self-consciousness and confidence issues.
Aw, bless, thanks! You're too kind. I do work out a lot and I'm my absolute worst critic 😂
This really hit me (as a mom). Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, Michelle! Means a lot, especially coming from you ♥️
👏🏽💛 🎶
Sounds so much like me. Perfectionism and anxiety. Therapy has helped a lot with the former and is slowly making progress on the latter. Somehow I had never drawn the connection to listening to music, but that is what I look forward to so much after a hard day at work - getting in the car for the drive home and having music to listen to, and getting home to my records. It is a shame I am not allowed to have music on at work. That might make a huge difference.
Thank you, Greg, for your comment and above all, for sharing. At least we’re not alone. Glad therapy is helping you. Bummer you can’t play music at work but, on the plus side, I bet you enjoy it more this way, as it makes it even more special.
This is really beautiful, thank you for sharing
Thank you for reading and commenting! ♥️♥️