i'm like overwhelmed at how much i found in this essay to relate to — my last move, to buenos aires from washington, separated me physically from my closest friends, although i felt uniquely well adapted to the prospect of leaving them behind. this emotional detachment, artificial distance between myself and my feelings, is something i'm working through struggling to identify and confront. it's going to be a process, maybe a years-long or lifelong process.
if all goes as planned over the next few months, i'll be in NYC by the end of july. that will be another major move, leaving a city where i've made a lot of new friends to go to a city that has a lot of old friends. although there's still a degree of uncertainty, i can't help but notice parts of me slipping into planning mode, shutting down some sentimental emotional functions in preparation for takeoff. in the meantime, we offload those feelings into writing or media consumption. sigh.
best of luck in new york — based on your most recent piece, it sounds like things are going well. give yourself time and grace during the adjustment phase. i think you'll find plenty of things, people, places to love.
thank you for the lovely comment! it’s all a process, for me and for you. hopefully your move goes smoothly as mine has (now that the hardest parts are behind me). don’t be a stranger when you make your way here!
I love this 💔 and also something I think a few of my male friends can relate to (just sent this to them)- I was talking to one of them the other day about how “art is just a way to talk about your feelings without people going ewwwww icky” and that hits
What a wonderful expression of perspective and vulnerability - thank you so much for sharing.
I believe that people are capable of deeply valuing the emotions of those who express them. True care is a precious resource, and by our limitations as humans we reserve it for the people we have come to love through experiences and companionship.
As such, I think that many consumers of art value it for how it makes the receiver feel, rather than a true care for the wellbeing of the artist. The reason why music and art are so effective as forms of expression is because of their capabilities to convey emotion collectively with the words of the artist. In times of emotion we desire so strongly to be understood, and from the perspective of a listener an artist’s vulnerability can help them to feel that they are not alone in their emotion. This also applies to the artist though – knowing that your message resonates with others can be a wonderful reward, and can help to lift the sometimes contractual nature of making art for an audience.
“… intellectualizing feelings and craft can dull the sharpness of emotion. But it doesn’t make the emotions disappear. It doesn’t mean that I process them.” So so true. Been stuck on this one a lot in the last few years - as helpful as intellectualization and diagnosing emotions can be, taking the initial bit of relief as resolution of those emotions can be dangerous. Still learning how to keep making progress beyond that initial step.
Congratulations on making the move and welcome to nyc!! :)
i'm like overwhelmed at how much i found in this essay to relate to — my last move, to buenos aires from washington, separated me physically from my closest friends, although i felt uniquely well adapted to the prospect of leaving them behind. this emotional detachment, artificial distance between myself and my feelings, is something i'm working through struggling to identify and confront. it's going to be a process, maybe a years-long or lifelong process.
if all goes as planned over the next few months, i'll be in NYC by the end of july. that will be another major move, leaving a city where i've made a lot of new friends to go to a city that has a lot of old friends. although there's still a degree of uncertainty, i can't help but notice parts of me slipping into planning mode, shutting down some sentimental emotional functions in preparation for takeoff. in the meantime, we offload those feelings into writing or media consumption. sigh.
best of luck in new york — based on your most recent piece, it sounds like things are going well. give yourself time and grace during the adjustment phase. i think you'll find plenty of things, people, places to love.
thank you for the lovely comment! it’s all a process, for me and for you. hopefully your move goes smoothly as mine has (now that the hardest parts are behind me). don’t be a stranger when you make your way here!
Really good
thank you!
If you ever need a friend in nyc, don't be afraid to reach out :)
will reach out when more settled!! 🙏🏽
I love this 💔 and also something I think a few of my male friends can relate to (just sent this to them)- I was talking to one of them the other day about how “art is just a way to talk about your feelings without people going ewwwww icky” and that hits
😿
What a wonderful expression of perspective and vulnerability - thank you so much for sharing.
I believe that people are capable of deeply valuing the emotions of those who express them. True care is a precious resource, and by our limitations as humans we reserve it for the people we have come to love through experiences and companionship.
As such, I think that many consumers of art value it for how it makes the receiver feel, rather than a true care for the wellbeing of the artist. The reason why music and art are so effective as forms of expression is because of their capabilities to convey emotion collectively with the words of the artist. In times of emotion we desire so strongly to be understood, and from the perspective of a listener an artist’s vulnerability can help them to feel that they are not alone in their emotion. This also applies to the artist though – knowing that your message resonates with others can be a wonderful reward, and can help to lift the sometimes contractual nature of making art for an audience.
“… intellectualizing feelings and craft can dull the sharpness of emotion. But it doesn’t make the emotions disappear. It doesn’t mean that I process them.” So so true. Been stuck on this one a lot in the last few years - as helpful as intellectualization and diagnosing emotions can be, taking the initial bit of relief as resolution of those emotions can be dangerous. Still learning how to keep making progress beyond that initial step.
Congratulations on making the move and welcome to nyc!! :)
welcome to nyc! can’t wait to see how life unfolds for you here :)