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Aussi disponible en Fran\u00e7ais<\/a>…<\/em><\/p>\n Some fourteen years ago or so I remember perusing the Montr\u00e9al Gazette\u2019<\/em>s brief album reviews and stumbling upon a critique of one of Ryan Adams\u2019 first solo albums. I didn\u2019t even bother reading it; all I could do was scoff at how any self-respecting musician could allow themselves to sing under a name so similar to Canada\u2019s own musical wonderbread that is Brian Adams. <\/p>\n Pimply, self-righteous and self-indulged, I vowed to NEVER LISTEN TO A RYAN ADAMS ALBUM EVER. Because, come on, seriously. <\/p>\n Fast forward a few years and Ryan Adams\u2019 cover of Wonderwall<\/a> (which Noel Gallagher famously stated is better than their original<\/a>) finds its way into my ears and I relentlessly scour the pre-YouTube internet to find out who it belonged to. When I eventually realised it was his, I conceded that I may have written him off too hastily and proceeded to buy all his albums. <\/p>\n Those early albums nursed me through my first heartbreak, growing pains and they continue to bring me a little serenity through my daily bouts of nihilism. <\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t only his lyrical genius that called to me, but also his general rambunctious, self-destructive eff-it-all demeanour<\/a>. It wasn\u2019t long before I heard that Ryan had stopped a performance to beat up a heckler that had suggested he should sing Brian\u2019s classic Summer of \u201969<\/em>. <\/p>\n Though I\u2019m as pacifist as they get, I loved that story (even though it ended up to be slightly exaggerated<\/a>). I loved that Ryan understood that his work was at an infinitely higher plain than Brian\u2019s and that he wouldn\u2019t take crap from anybody who mocked the unfortunate resemblance. I loved that he fit himself ever so perfectly in his own Ryan Adams\u2019 box. <\/p>\n As some of you know, I\u2019ve had a rough few years that recently culminated with an extended break from my writing, photography and social media presence. Through this break, I\u2019ve harboured sadness, anger and frustration over the situation I find myself in and have failed to see any path out of. <\/p>\n I\u2019m generally feeling better, but my joy hit its stride a few months ago when news broke that Ryan went ahead and finally covered Summer of \u201969<\/em>.<\/a> Not gonna lie, I kinda cried a little when I listened to it. <\/p>\n I felt silly crying over a cover of a song I genuinely dislike, but still the tears they flowed. <\/p>\n In it, I heard a (relatively troubled) musician I deeply admire finding a little peace, mellowing out and accepting that some things just won\u2019t change, so why hold a grudge? Sometimes, you just have to shake it off<\/a> and ride the wave as far as it\u2019ll take you. Sometimes, you breathe a little better when you\u2019re less boxed in. We don\u2019t have to be inflexible caricatures of our projected selves, and if we are, at least find ways to laugh about it. <\/p>\n So here I am, aiming to mellow out a bit as I enter my thirties. Focus on self-love, accepting comfort, and feeling no shame over loving Taylor Swift\u2019s music or never having missed an episode of Survivor<\/em>. Making the time to build a balanced, healthy, happy life while recognising and fighting the fact that many are systemically denied that privilege.<\/p>\n I\u2019m a sap, so I\u2019ll leave at this: I love you all. Thank you for your kindness, creativity, and compassion. Here\u2019s to growing up ever so slowly, ever so kindly. <\/p>\n