u/Lovely-Bunnym9

Remember before residency when you could just decline a social invite or an extra task without feeling like you were letting someone down or ruining your reputation. Now every request feels like it comes with a silent guilt trip or a potential hit to your evaluations. It's exhausting pretending to be enthusiastic about everything. I just want to say 'nah I'm good' to another committee meeting or an optional 'learning opportunity' without the side eye. Is this just residency or is this adult life now

I was just thinking about some of my favorite artists who have had really long careers. Some of them started out writing all their own stuff you know very personal and raw. But then over time as they get bigger or their sound changes they start working with more co-writers or even just taking songs written entirely by others.

It makes sense from a career perspective to keep putting out new music consistently. But sometimes I feel like the essence of the artist gets a little diluted. It's like the unique voice or perspective that drew me in originally gets lost a bit when it's not their own words telling the story.

Like can you really connect with a song as much if you know the artist didn't actually write those deeply emotional lyrics themselves? Or does it even matter? Maybe a great performance can elevate any lyrics. Is it about the authenticity of the words or the delivery of the message?

What do you guys think? Does it bother you when artists don't write their own lyrics anymore? Or is it just a natural part of evolving in the music industry?

I work in a pretty open office plan. It's not cubes or anything it's just big tables where everyone sits together. There are like 10 of us on my team. And everyone is just so loud all the time. Like constantly talking or making noises. Not even work related stuff just chatting or laughing or tapping pens.

About six months ago I started wearing big noise canceling over ear headphones. At first it was just to listen to music or podcasts to help me focus. But then I realized how much quieter everything was. Like it was blissful silence compared to the constant chatter.

Now I don't even play anything through them most of the time. I just wear them. It looks like I'm listening to something but really I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet. Sometimes a coworker will tap me on the shoulder to ask a question and I'll pretend I didn't hear them at first then slowly take one ear cup off and say 'oh sorry didn't hear you'.

I feel a little bad because they probably think I'm antisocial or something. But honestly it's the only way I can get through the day without getting completely overwhelmed. If I had to listen to everything all day I think I'd go crazy. It's my little secret sanctuary.