Playlist: August Jams

Happy Saturday, blogfolk!

Today I want to talk to you about music! Listening to music and writing music and BECOMING ONE WITH THE MUSIC are some of my favorite things, and I want to incorporate more of that here on the blog. Each month (or perhaps more frequently), I will be compiling playlists of the songs I've been listening to recently. Get ready for some glorious August jams, my people!

"Open Season" - High Highs

I was watching Pitch Perfect the other day (I know) and was mesmerized by this soft and airy song playing in the background. "Open Season" is the perfect soundtrack for writing or taking an early morning drive along the coast. It's very wistful. I'm looking forward to researching more about this band and discovering more of their music!

"Cold Little Heart" - Michael Kiwanuka

This song is such a groove. Empowering yet pained, it feels both old-school yet fresh at the same time. I can't listen to this song without literally dancing, y'all. I need to check out more from Michael Kiwanuka, because this is a solid jam.

"Creature Comfort" - Arcade Fire

So much love for this song. The lyrics go straight for the jugular, sharp and honest. I highly recommend listening to this one multiple times to catch all of the lyrics. It's raw and blunt and regretful and I DIG IT.

"I'm Waiting for the Day" - The Beach Boys

I recently discovered the happy-sad glory that is The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album, and W O W. This song reminds me of love and hope and the shore, and I can't get enough of it. It's by far one of my favorite songs on the album, and closely rivals "Wouldn't It Be Nice," my all-time favorite song by this awesome band. 

"The Greatest" - Sia

If you're searching for an awesome work-out song, search no further. The video for this song gives me chills....okay, all of Sia's music videos give me chills! This one seriously makes me wish I could dance. It's poppy, motivating and a little dark, and I totally dig that. I think Sia has one of the most incredible voices - crackly and emotive and always right on the edge of breaking. Beautiful!

"Look What You Made Me Do" - Taylor Swift

I would be remiss if I didn't include Taylor Swift's new single. At first I wasn't sure what I thought of it at first, and it's still growing on me. I love the move to a new, darker sound, because I like most of my music to have a little edge, and "Look What You Made Me Do" definitely does. My favorite part has to be the spoken bridge towards the end of the song....dying to hear y'all's thoughts on this one, since fan reactions are a mixed bag.

What about you? What songs have you been listening to lately?
Leave your fave tunes down below! ♥

The Importance of Creative Rest

Hello, friends.

I wanted to discuss something today that has been on my heart for a while now: the importance of creative rest. When I graduated college in May, I took a break from blogging and jumped headfirst into writing my novel. When I wasn't running or working or reading, I was writing. And when I wasn't writing, I was crying thinking about my characters and plot and whether or not first or third person was better, and so many writerly things that I thought my head was going to explode.

All this to say: My constant creative pursuit wasn't healthy.

I think that as creatives, we sometimes believe the lie that we always have to be "on" or "productive" or have great projects in the works. But it's not true. In fact, constantly trying to be creative or churn out projects is draining. I'll be honest, there were many days I would come home from work and just collapse in bed and not know how I was going to write. I had no creative juices, no energy. I wasn't getting enough sleep or spending enough time with friends or the Lord.

But it's not my life's purpose to be creative. It's to know Christ and make Him known.

I think one reason I put so much pressure on myself to finish my novel was that I thought if I didn't, my life's purpose wouldn't be fulfilled. But my identity and purpose is not in writing. I am a human and friend and daughter of the King first. God has given us the ability to create, and it is wonderful, but when creativity becomes our main focus, it's not sustainable. We have to allow ourselves to rest. 

"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10

Love that comma after "Be still." Love the pause that it implies.

Part of the creative process, I think, is stepping back from your work and letting yourself recharge. It might sound counterproductive, but it's not. Over the past few months sans blogging, I have learned that there is something to be said for rest. There is something to be said for putting down your pen or keyboard and going for a walk. For going out to dinner with friends. For watching a movie with your family. For reading your Bible. For taking an early morning run. For eating ice cream.

You don't have to try and save the world, creatives. We're not super-humans here and we don't have to try to be. Your own well-being should ALWAYS come before creativity.

I am still learning what it means to rest, but know this: You don't have to live the life of the perfect Supremely Creative Person, because that person doesn't exist. No one human being can sustain a sleep-deprived existence and just keep going and going and going, inspiring others and working and writing and GAH! It is more than okay to take quiet breaks and walk with the Lord and accept a creative slump as a veritable gift. This is what I am learning, and what I want for my life going forward.

x

What about you?

What do you think of creative rest? Do you struggle with trying to be a Supremely Creative Person as well? TELL ME I'M NOT ALONE

Here's to New Beginnings

Wow, where to begin?

I've wanted to write this post for many months now, but as you can see by my lack of presence here, I haven't been able to find the words. In May, I graduated with my Bachelor's in Mass Communications and promptly plunged headfirst into attempting to finish my novel. (Keyword = attempting.) Then I traveled with my family, got a camera(!), and now I am working at a job I love, doing marketing for my alma mater.

Yet all of this, and no blogging.

All of this, and it sounds more glamorous (and less painful) than it was.

All of this, and I'm still learning.

This space has been on my heart and mind for many months now.

While I still don't know exactly what is to come, I do know that I am excited. I don't know about you, but lately, I have been yearning to go on a new adventure. To have a fresh start. To begin again. Life has been nothing but endings and beginnings lately, which is good and hard all at once. And I feel that reflected in my blogging journey, too. I'm ready to breathe new life into this space, with the help of Christ.

Welcome to the new Acoustic Erin.

I welcome your feedback and thoughts and friendship as I set sail on a whole new chapter for my blog. I will be making changes to this space slowly but surely, and as I explore this process, I invite you to join me, as always.

Tell me how you've been!

Do you like the new design? Did you have a good summer? How can I pray for you?

Thanks for everything.