Art will always save us
A movie, a book, & a podcast that inspired me this past week
There are certain songs that, when played, seem to stop time. Jeff Buckley may have dibs on more than one. His voice transports you fully into the present – everything else falls away. Until now, little has been shared about the life of this iconic ‘90s musician. The new documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley lets us see him through the eyes of the people who loved him most.
I’m smitten by artists like Jeff Buckley, people born with such an undeniable pull toward their craft that nothing else matters. They become masters, and when they play, it feels divine. At such a young age, they can tune out the noise of the world and tune in to something higher.
Maybe that’s the gift of youth – we can hear our voice before the world teaches us to silence it. Buckley was raised by one parent, known less for strictness and more for a free-spirited, rebellious influence.
He once said, “We live in a culture that kills artists.” He was a raw talent, thriving in small cafés where he could experiment. He struggled once he was discovered and became entangled with a music label. Artists just want to create. They depend on others to take care of the business part. It’s a rare breed who can be both an artist and a savvy businessperson.
I’ve wrestled with my creative work. I want it to stand on its own, to evolve naturally into what it was meant to be – a pure expression of showing up each day. Marks on a page, words in a notebook, brushstrokes on a canvas. But once art becomes a livelihood, the voices creep in and inevitably shape it.
One thing I know for sure: the pure expression of creativity – in all its forms – is a salve for what ails us. It’s the song that suddenly plays, the mural on a street corner, the film that lifts us away. It is the divine thread that makes us feel present, seen, alive. It is the art that saves us.
When I play this song, I am grounded instantly. I want to paint. I want to walk into my yard and listen to the birds. I want to hold my husband’s hand or catch my daughter’s smile. I’m not sure how Buckley’s voice made that magic, but I thank him for it. For showing up and making that thing that called him. Because now we have it forever. And that is all he said he wanted - for his music to live on forever.
Take a few minutes to listen to this song today. And the documentary is well worth your time.
“A howling love letter to the world,” says Ann Patchett on the cover – and I’d agree. I stumbled across this gem on Spotify, where I often listen to audiobooks during walks or in the middle of the night when insomnia strikes. This one makes me feel seen. She feels like one of my people – and you may find her one of yours, too.
I love the way she notices nature in her backyard: rescuing a neighborhood fox, collecting what she thought was an owl pellet, or simply observing the creatures in her neighborhood. Her southern accent adds a layer of warmth and charm, pulling you right into her world. It’s the kind of world you find yourself craving – and realizing you can create it in your own life, too.
Books like this remind me that escape isn’t really about tuning out, but tuning in – slowing down, paying attention, and caring for ourselves in ways that help us become more present and in tune with nature.
✨ Quick tip: If you love audiobooks, check out the Libby app – it lets you borrow them for free with a library card. And suppose you already pay for Spotify (like I do for my daughter’s music habit), you may not know they now include access to tons of popular audiobooks, too - a great way to discover new favorites without waiting.
We’re constantly inundated with images of a world that feels beyond our control. Every day, things pop up in my feed that make my stomach sink and my heart ache. And yet – I can step outside and take a beautiful walk through my neighborhood. The contrast is jarring. I’m often left wondering: are we allowed to feel good anymore when so many people are suffering? This conversation offered a thoughtful perspective on that very question.
Until next time. ✨ Kim
Just wanted to say "hello". I found you on Instagram this past week and today you showed up in my Notes here.
Lovely writing. Can't wait to see the documentary.