2025: An Open Letter

2025: An Open Letter

Geplaatst op door Justin

It’s always darkest just before the dawn. It’s a saying that encourages people to stay hopeful during the dark times. I got to be honest; there were moments in 2025 when I stopped believing this, when I gave up on hope, because every time I thought I couldn’t be in a darker place, I ended up in one, wondering how much worse it could get. And here, in my annual open letter – my tenth – it’s time to dig into these moments. But, to give a hopeful spoiler: when I look outside I think dawn has finally come. Because better times don’t care whether you believe in them or not.

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2024: An Open Letter

2024: An Open Letter

Geplaatst op door Justin

I remember that on the 1st of January someone told me that she hoped that at the end of 2024 I could write an open letter that I’d be proud of. It was one of the most beautiful and original new year wishes I’ve ever got. So here we are, ready to pour it all on paper. It might be the toughest and most emotional one I’ve ever written, and I’m not sure if I’m going to be proud of it; pride is one of those feelings that fade away very quickly right now, like most feelings. But before I dive any deeper into that, let’s go back all the way to the beginning of the year.

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2023: An Open Letter

2023: An Open Letter

Geplaatst op door Justin

And just like that, 2023 is about to end. To be honest, I’m not sure if I want it to end. Because after some very difficult years, 2023 has been surprisingly good to me. Not only have I achieved some amazing milestones, I’ve also achieved one of my biggest goals in life: to just feel happy, which I did for most of the time. And that’s what I am most thankful for this year, because it’s not an average to me.

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The Say It With Music Challenge

The Say It With Music Challenge

Geplaatst op door Justin

‘Music is the language of the heart.’ It is a statement that many music lovers can probably agree with. The love of music is universal – with some exceptions. At the same time, people are storytellers. We tell stories about our lives, about events, about ideas, about each other. And in the end, we turn into a story ourselves when we leave this world. And yet. Yet we regularly have trouble finding the right words for our stories. As a result, we are all islands and can`t bridge the distance to each other.

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De Say It With Music Challenge (NL)

De Say It With Music Challenge (NL)

Geplaatst op door Justin

‘Muziek is de taal van het hart.’ Het is een uitspraak waarin veel muziekliefhebbers zich waarschijnlijk wel in kunnen vinden. De liefde voor muziek is universeel – uitzonderingen daargelaten. Tegelijkertijd zijn mensen verhalenvertellers. We vertellen verhalen over onze levens, over gebeurtenissen, over ideeën, over elkaar. En uiteindelijk veranderen we zelf in een verhaal wanneer we deze wereld verlaten. En toch. Toch hebben we regelmatig moeite de juiste woorden voor onze verhalen te vinden. Met als resultaat dat we allemaal een soort van eilandjes zijn en de afstand naar elkaar niet kunnen overbruggen.

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Virtual Roadblock

Geplaatst op door Justin

“I say a prayer for the motivation / Keep me solid so I stay on track”

The start of a new year is nothing but the start of a new day. Often tired, sometimes energetic. But other than that, very little has changed. New year, same nonsense. But this year it seems like the new year has been a virtual barrier after all, at least for me. A road barrier, through which you have made your way through with difficulty between the blocking cars and spike strips, without causing damage, while your attacking pursuers have been held up.  As a result, you start the year with a head start.

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Virtuele Wegversperring

Geplaatst op door Justin

“I say a prayer for the motivation / Keep me solid so I stay on track”

Het begin van een nieuw jaar is niets anders dan het begin van een nieuwe dag. Vaak moe, soms energiek. Maar verder is er vrij weinig veranderd. Nieuw jaar, zelfde onzin. Maar dit jaar lijkt het alsof het nieuwe jaartal toch een virtuele barrière is geweest, voor mij in ieder geval. Een wegafzetting, waar je zelf met moeite tussen de blokkerende auto’s en spijkermatten een weg doorheen hebt gebaand, zowaar zonder schade te maken, terwijl je belagende achtervolgers wel zijn opgehouden. Met als resultaat dat je het jaar begint met een voorsprong.

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2022: An Open Letter

2022: An Open Letter

Geplaatst op door Justin

2022: An Open Letter

“How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind | Hold memory close at hand | Help me understand the years”[1]

It’s the final day of the year again, which means we’re once again going to take a walk through my mind. Through memories and thoughts. Thoughts on this year, thoughts on the years before. Thoughts on the future years, starting with the next one. I’m not sure they help me understand them, but we can have at least one last walk of the year.

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