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Hey music makers!
Four months ago, I told you about my cracked tooth.
The sleepless nights. The realization that I'd been gripping so hard that my body was breaking down.
I knew something had to change. So I loosened my grip. Started exploring music for curiosity instead of outcomes. Stopped measuring my worth by validation I couldn't control.
It's been working. The last five weeks, I've been documenting my practice learning bass and guitar. Not because I need to master them, but because that beginner's mind is bringing me back to why I started.
A few weeks ago I came across a quote from Naval Ravikant:
"Desire is a contract you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want."
That's what I'd been doing. Living under a contract to postpone my own happiness until I "made it."
That's why my jaw was clenched.
📻 REAL SONGS. REAL PROGRESSIONS
💿 "Folded” by Kehlani
Key: Db Major
Chorus progression: Gbma7 - Fm7 - Ebmi7 - Gbma7 - Bbm7 - Ebmi7
Roman numerals: IV - iii - ii - IV - vi - ii
This progression creates a gentle, circular motion by starting on the subdominant (IV) instead of the tonic. The movement from IV to iii to ii feels like a soft descent, creating subtle momentum without a lot of tension. This really supports the lyrics and vibe of the song.
The repetition of IV and ii anchors the progression, while the major 7th and minor 7th chords add warmth and sophistication. Notice how it avoids the tonic (I) and dominant (V) entirely. This keeps the progression open and floating, never fully resolving.
That's why it feels smooth. You're always moving but never landing.
🧠 IDEA OF THE WEEK
Tearing up the contract
How many times have you told yourself:
I'll be happy when I get this opportunity.
I'll relax when I finish this project.
I'll feel worthy when someone validates me.
Disguised as goals, they are actually contracts to be unhappy until some future moment that never actually arrives.
There's always another milestone. Another version of "good enough" just out of reach.
What if you just tore up the contract?
And decided to be happy now, while you're still learning, exploring, figuring things out?
Here's what that looks like for me:
For the last five weeks, I’ve been documenting and sharing my learnings in bass and guitar with you. Mistakes and all. This reintroduced me to beginner's curiosity. The willingness to be bad at something just because it's fun.
And this is what I lost when music became more about outcomes.
I'm not measuring progress by "Am I good yet?" Instead I'm asking myself "did I enjoy this today?"
I made a video about this recently where I go deeper. If this is resonating, check it out 👇🏾.
The other shift: I'm only competing with yesterday's version of myself.
Not with the person who went viral. Not with the musician who seems effortlessly good.
Just yesterday's me.
Did I learn something today?
Did I create something that felt true?
Did I take one step forward, even if it was small?
That's the only comparison that matters.
🎯 CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK
Identify one contract you've signed with yourself.
What are you telling yourself you'll be happy when you finally achieve?
Write it down. Then tear it up.
Ask yourself: What would it look like if I decided to be happy now, while I'm still figuring it out?
Four months later, the pressure has been lifting for me.
I feel peace knowing that a I don't need to have it all figured out. I just need to know the next step. And then take it.
You don't need to have it all figured out either.
Just loosen your grip. Stop forcing outcomes you can't control.
Let it breathe.
