I Stopped Listening to Music

The Middleman I Outgrew

The simple answers go as following:

• I got tired of it

• I stopped showing up

I’d argue that I stopped listening to music in 2010 and I stopped enjoying music in 2018. Everything after was people pleasing, stan behavior, and/or nostalgia. Music feels like that old friend who is still engaging in illicit behavior as I’ve evolved into a settled life. Years ago, one of my relatives called me a music box, and it was true. I was obsessed with music, so much so that I’d tell people I “felt naked” if I went anywhere without my headphones. During my teens, I would fall asleep to music. Then after, music became my way of connecting with others. I’ve always believed that no one can resist a good tune. Music is a sure way to cultivate community and intrigue. But music is like that one kind person out of a million that is surrounded by vultures. It’s that sweet friend that’s a bit self-sacrificing who is never appreciated by those closest to them.