4. I stopped listening to music as much as I typically do
Catching up since the last, my relationship with music, podcast and reading updates
Hey friend,
How have you been? Hope you are well.
I feel good today. It rained all morning and I love it when it rains (especially when I’m indoors). I’ve not been my best in the past two weeks or so, but I’m slowly getting back to normal. And that’s why the newsletter is back.
Four things since I’ve been away:
Remember that first chapter of my M.A dissertation I mentioned in a previous newsletter? Well, it has been approved! So, I’ve gotten a green light to move on. The first chapter is always tricky because it’s the foundation of the whole research; it tells why and how you’re writing on that topic, plus I had to review tons of relevant literature. I’m glad that I can move on now.
Also, I have made a shortlist of the schools/Ph.D. programs I’ll be applying to at the end of the year (hopefully, nothing comes up). Now, the problem is because they are mostly Ivy League schools, the chances of me getting admitted are slimmer. But if I’ll be dedicating my life to a doctorate program, especially in a non-STEM field (since they get less support than those in STEM fields), I should be getting the best stipend and support available. The process seems stressful, but I’m taking it a day at a time and focusing on other things.
I’ve been writing a personal essay on writing for my Medium and it is the most difficult thing that I have written. Who knew talking about the magic and madness of writing could make me short of words? My problem here is that I’m finding it difficult to explain how happy, fulfilled, and stressed writing makes me feel. However, I’m a few hundred words in and I hope to get it out this month.
Finally, my academic writing aside (I still have two research papers and four chapters of my dissertation to complete), I have resolved to write more this year. My focus here is more fiction and more personal essays. I’m excited.
Now, let’s talk about music…
I stopped listening to music as much as I typically do
I love music a lot. My love for it is manifest in two ways. First is the idea of music itself. The thought that there are people who sing, rap, and produce pieces that can match or lift my mood and make me feel so good is amazing. Secondly, I love listening to songs. The best part about this is that I’m not picky. I listen to everything. I am open to listening to every kind of music from different eras.
So if you know me personally, there is a chance that you have seen me with an earpiece moving my head or singing along. You could have also seen me recommending songs I love or just sharing them on my social media.
That’s why it was super weird to find myself feeling how I have been feeling lately. After all, I rely on music so much (this is a bit problematic). What I mean is since I rely on music for peace, happiness, calm, and escape, it made me forget. I discovered that I was listening to and relying on music a lot that it made me forget how real-life sounds. I’m not here to sound faux deep (PS: I’m not interested in appearing like a deep and insightful person, but if I give off that vibe…no worries).
How is it possible to forget real life?
Whenever I take off my earpiece, I realize that the sounds I hear make me feel more alive. And I started thinking:
I miss the sound of cars.
I miss the noisiness of my surroundings, of the environment.
I just miss hearing things that are in the moment.
When I thought of all these, I realized that I was doing way too much with my consumption of songs and even voices from my phone and other devices. As a self-aware queen (lol), I linked two and two together and I discovered that this is also one of the reasons why I’m writing and creating less. How so?
If you ask me, “Yetunde, what inspires you?'' now or in the next ten years, there is a 99% chance that I wouldn't mention a particular person, thing, or place. I’ll likely say, “People. In all forms of their actions, inactions, and interactions with their environment or society inspires me.”
And now, I’ve been blocking out my major inspiration for creating anything by ignoring public conversations that I consciously or unconsciously overhear; by ignoring my immediate world; and by blocking out everything with music.
In a nutshell, this is why I stopped listening to music as much as I'll like to (especially when I’m outside). However, one of my favorite musicians/artists/singers just released his album and I’m super excited to listen to it in the coming days. So, if I’ll be listening to songs in the next few days, it’ll probably be from Bad Bunny’s UnVeranoSinTi (A Summer Without You) album.
Reading update…
I just finished reading my second Emily Henry novel, People We Meet On Vacation. I’m not sure I’ve read a book with genuine conversations like this one. I had a lot to say about this book and how it made me feel. You can check out my review here.
My next two reads:
Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert (Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC) This book is a steamy modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus.
Together We Burn by Isabel Ibanez (Thanks to Libro.fm for the audiobook listening copy) This is a standalone fantasy novel inspired by medieval Spain, with the right combination of adventure, romance, and danger)
Podcast update…
The podcast will be 2 on the 29th of May. Unbelievable! I love that I have this podcast. Thanks for listening to my thoughts and helping me get better at saying how I feel and what I know.
Go check out the last two episodes:
Book recommendations: Young adult novels (non-fantasy)
The truth about content creation
I’ve got two new episodes in the works:
The times I’ve been a pushover
All the 12 books I read in April (surprises, disappointments, and reviews)
Subscribe on your favorite platform to be the first to know when these episodes are available.
Whew! That will be all for this newsletter. If you have a newsletter, an article, a podcast, a YouTube channel, and other content you want to share with me, please leave the link in the comment section.
Until you hear from me again, be good and enjoy!
Love,
Yetunde