It’s been a little over a year since I had launched my website, and I honestly feel like I did not use this platform as much as I intended to. It’s beautiful, funny, frustrating, and awe-inspiring, all at the same time, to see what life truly has in store for you and how different it can end up being from what you envisioned. I had a whole plan ready for my second album at the top of last year, with track concepts, poems, titles, possible features and producers all locked down, but I feel the universe knew it was not the right time.
I went to Sri Lanka in December 2017 (alone for the first time) and the journey really pushed me to turn inwards more and explore my roots and what makes up my identity. A few months later, I was asked a question, "Are you truly meant to be a spoken word artist, or is that just the first art form you came across and held on to?", and that really struck me deep. This compelled me to break down the identities I thought were what defined me and retreated more into solitude. I needed my intuition to speak to me more, so I took a week off from everything and spent that time alone with myself in an isolated area.
There was one point during this week where I asked/surrendered to the universe to just give me what I need and take away all that I don't need. Once I was fully open and willing to accept all and any changes, so many aspects of my life had changed rapidly. I’ve lost family, friends, love, passion towards activities I once connected to, and this list can go on. Although it was shocking, I felt the most liberated in a time of many losses and realized this is what I asked for. I slowed down to listen to myself, to listen to the universe, to listen to my intuition, and I embraced that being still is different from being stagnant. In this stillness, I am learning, growing, at peace, and I am allowing things to break down as they are meant to and I am making room for new blessings and new lessons and more potent identities to be birthed.
Illustrated by myself, a sketch called “Be Still”
Photograph captured by Reesee Zigga Zagga
The last six months were truly filled with blessings as I transitioned out of this phase of breakdowns and into a phase of breakthroughs. I relearned what love truly feels like, allowed myself to enjoy life more (everything does not have to be so serious), and reconnected with all aspects of my life that I had neglected before. Now this really reignited my creative spark again.
With this renewed motivation and inspiration, I am super excited to share that I am now in the process of creating my second album, Roots in Fear and Love. This project will capture different sounds and stories that will truly showcase all of who I am and my roots. Stay tuned for more updates to come!
Stay blessed,
Vinoj / Voice of Silence