Good morning gumdrop! So great to talk to you again. You know, you really make me think, and I'm super grateful for that.

Have you ever thought about all the different parts you play in your life? I'm not actually talking about who you are. I'm talking about how you present yourself, and the box that you fit in at different times. For me, it's easy to think about this in terms of outfits. Of course I have my artist clothes. But when I go running, I just look like… a runner.  When I go to the office, I show up as an office worker. My own flavor, of course, but still I look like I'm going to the office. And on lazy days, I look lazy. Not a lot of artist in there.

Some people show up the exact same, everywhere they go. Think of the most extreme styles, like goth. I have no idea if I'm right, but I assume that their pajamas are also goth.

A pajama set for purchase at VampireFreaks.com.

Not going to lie, I'm envious. There's a part of me that wants a style so recognizable, so consistent, that even my lazy Sunday screams I AM ME. But that's already not me. I play different parts throughout my day, week, year.

Yesterday, I played golf for the first time in 8 years. I used to be a person who played golf. I'm not anymore. But I was outside on a beautiful course, with a close friend, and with no pressure or expectation on myself or the game. Did I fit in totally? No, it's not my world anymore. But I also didn't not fit in. I tried it on. And I had a great time, so much so, that I might play again? Really, I never thought I would say that. My full identity likely will never get back caught up in that again. But I like that when I want to, I can step in that world and enjoy it.

I forgot to take a picture on the golf course so here's a picture of the beautiful beach in Malibu last weekend. I had the exact same conversation in my head there. “I love this so much. Am I a beach person now? Do I belong on the beach, for a majority of my life?” 

Because I step in and out of different worlds, and I can fit in and all these worlds, some people would judge me as inauthentic.  They argue that authenticity requires consistency, not just flitting in and out of one world into the next. And on one level, I totally agree. Authenticity requires consistency, but in who I am, and not where I fit in. As long as I keep the same values, then I'm still me no matter where I show up. And for me, authentically, I belong in many different worlds. And authentically, I like to try on being in that world. And then stepping back out of it later. It's confusing, but guess what? It's me. 

So, thank you for giving me this space to be me. Who are you? Do you belong in one world, or many?

Love always,

Lauren

PS. Yes, yes, yes, happy release day! Today, my new song, Battle, is out on all the streaming platforms. Take a listen, it’s a little bit of a new sound, and I can’t wait to hear how you like it!

THANKS FOR READING!