Watching an interview with a music producer right now, and he’s expressing how he’s able to access his own vulnerability to make the kind of art that’s only accessible once you have. I’m not jealous–I celebrate anyone who made it to adulthood with their vulnerability intact and are still functional. If someone’s art comes from that place, I celebrate it even if it’s not my cup of tea. Often the sense of someone really going for it translates even if you can’t follow them entirely.

I remember being able to access that place and create before I had the certitude of inevitable rejection. When I didn’t find a home for those ideas with family, peers, or (what) friends, after giving up the struggle I elected to close that door. While I think you can reopen it, you’re never going to be able to regain what was lost, which for me is the excitement of sharing something you’ve created without needing to protect against being hurt for it.