2016: A Year’s Worth of Memories (Alisa Rodriguez)

by Steven Spoerl

Heartbreaking Bravery recently went offline but all facets of the site are back to being fully operational. Apologies for any inconveniences. All posts that were slated to run during that brief hiatus will appear with this note.

For last year’s edition of A Year’s Worth of Memories Alisa Rodriguez — the mastermind behind Apollo Vermouth — contributed a piece about Benoît Pioulard. Rodriguez has returned with another piece, this time choosing to take stock of the one thing that kept 2016 tethered to reality: music. The times may be strange but it’s comforting to have somewhere to take solace. Whether that solace lies in listening or creating undoubtedly varies person to person but Rodriguez’s piece here is a strong reminder of its necessity. Enjoy.

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2016 was something else. I feel like I live on a very strange planet. I guess I always sort of felt that way but it’s becoming more obvious.

I spent most of 2016 working and going to school. I felt like I had no time doing the one thing that made me happy, making music.

As cliche as it sounds, I’m completely lost without music. Not so much with listening to other people’s music but more so with focusing on my own.

I started seeing a therapist again this year. It felt like I was talking to a wall. We didn’t really connect on a level where I felt completely comfortable with expressing myself.

I still take medication. I have a healthy relationship with my family and friends. I have an amazing boyfriend. But despite all of that, I was still feeling lost with myself. It felt as if something was always missing. It wasn’t till the end of the fall semester where I started making music again.
I finally finished my new album. I feel happy again. I really feel good about myself. No matter what, I think we should all focus on the things that make us feel good. Do what makes you happy. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t follow your dreams. Maybe you have to do some extra shifts at work to save up for that new guitar you really want or buy a plane ticket to LA. Hard work pays off (sorry for the cliche again).

Here’s to another year on this strange planet.