I just got home from my annual solo songwriting sabbatical. This year, I went up to Wisconsin to write songs in my friends' old boat house.  It has no heat or running water, but it had an electrical outlet for me to plug in my instruments.  I bundled up and planted myself in what is easily the most idyllic place to write I could've ever imagined.  

While I was there, I wrote one song that I'm really proud of because it feels so true, and also several bits and pieces of melodies and lyrics. As I was writing, it struck me how few people will probably enjoy my new music.  It sounds dated, even though I just wrote it.  It's never going to end up on any radio, and it might only resonate with a small handful of people.  But I love it so much, so what does it matter what other people think?

I'm not everyone's cup of tea, nor are they mine.

Reader, I don't know if you need to be reminded of this, but we are not alive to be appealing to everyone.  As a recovering people-pleaser, I struggle with this. But the moral of my week is that--while it's important to be kind and loving to each other--we do not have to be liked.  I'm coming home from this year's sabbatical resolved to be unapologetically myself.

Be true to what calls to you this week, and I'll see you next Monday. -Em