I had a self realization about a year ago. The reason I started making music is because it brings me joy. Nothing on this earth makes me feel quite like how I do when I'm creating music. I realized I'm madly in love with the process, not the end result. I realized I have the most fun I've ever had in my entire life when I'm creating my art. Even if I'm all alone.

But when I started doing it for the wrong reasons, like for attention or "success"
I began to lose my passion for it...

I had to remind myself why I started this journey in the first place. I had to ask myself the God honest truth, if no one ever listened to my music, and if I never made another dime from it again would I still do it?

When I finally admitted to myself that the answer was yes, that's when I found myself again. I rediscovered my passion for it, and this time it wasn't rooted in anything other than the art itself and the pleasure I get from creating it. Of course it excites me when others people enjoy what I create, but sharing my art with other people is really just the cherry on top! True fulfillment comes from the freedom of expression and the feeling of accomplishment I get when I finally hit that button to finalize a track. At heart I'm my own biggest fan, but I'm also my own biggest critic and I've had to learn to balance that in a healthy way.

I guess what I'm saying is, whatever your passion is, whatever it is that you DO, do it for an audience of one. Only then will you truly be content with the things you create. If you think its dope, then IT IS dope! There's no need for any outside validation. As long as you're satisfied with your own product, that's all that really matters<3