notes app; on relatability
on rose, yves saint laurent and being a recovering people-pleaser
Konnichiwa.
Sav here.
Let’s talk about relatability.
I’m not the kind of person to get starstruck.
I don’t collect memorabilia or merchandise.
I wouldn’t line up for meet-and-greets or autograph signings.
I scoff at the idea of celebrity culture and especially at those who dedicate insurmountable fractions of their time following their drama (I’m actually more accepting if you’re the person to document it, cause at least you’re making something).
I shudder at the levels of fangirl culture, which is pretty bad today but certain more fucked during the time of One Direction and Justin Bieber’s youth — a life I wouldn’t wish on anyone, I feel you Justin.
However, if there’s something that always strikes me, it’s relatability.
It’s probably the primary reason why the handful of artists and creators I follow nowadays are in the lifestyle content creation space instead of say, actors, artists and international brands. It’s a lot easier to be relatable when you’re in podcast whispering in my ear as I go about my day.
And so, I want to talk about a few hobbit holes I’ve fallen into recently surrounding the topic of relatability or its lack thereof.
Rosie by ROSÉ
When I chanced upon the bridge of ROSÉ’s stay a little longer, a switch clicked in my head.
In one swift swoop, I realised that all the songs (except APT, honestly) in Rosie revolve around navigating heartbreak, fame and the numerous tumultuous and conflicting emotions that take place in one’s twenties. Between the pianos and guitars, playful yet reflective synths and the singer’s emotional, cutting vocals — I’m reminded by the fact that despite being an internationally acclaimed artist, thrust into the jeering public eye; Roseanne Park is just like any other twenty-something.
A fair share of heartbreak. A fair share of reciprocrated love. A fair share of not feeling like she’s enough, getting and giving mixed signals, dancing round the bedroom at 3am and in the very next moment, coming to terms that it’s the end.
Curated and crystallised, Rosie reads like a personal journal, so it’s really no surprise that I’m so enamoured by it.
Yves Saint Laurent
You know who has the coolest name of all time?
French fashion designer: Yves Saint LAURENT.
Now, I cannot say by any stretch of the imagination that I relate to Saint Laurent, with his eponymous fashion label, unparalleled artistic talent and incessant cocaine usage — but his story is nonetheless intriguing.
Hired on the spot by Christian Dior. Named as Dior’s successor shortly before his sudden death, thrust into the world of high fashion with blistering speed. Enlistment into a war followed by a firing from Dior that would destroy his mind forever - and despite that, starting his own luxury brand with vigorous vengeance, rivaling that of his master, establishing fashion pieces that we today consider classic and timeless.
I’d totally be interested in watching a Saint Laurent documentary.
(I am not totally interested in purchasing a YSL product.)
Confessions of a recovering people-pleaser by American Baron
While doing the dishes, I listened to a TED Talk by American author, comedian and filmmaker Baron Ryan, titled Confessions of a Recovering People-Pleaser.
In the humourous, existential conversation with himself (to which he plays both his real self and his ‘mind’, in a pre-recorded video), Baron explores the self-betraying paradox that comes with trying to be a hero to everybody.
You know why it's so tempting to submit and give your life away? It's easy. It's so much easier when someone else tells you how to eat, how to love, how to think, how to spend your time. I mean, there's nothing to it. You just put on your seatbelt and off you go. Watching your life go by from the passenger seat. You give up your whole personality just to be liked. And what are you left with? Just another joke. You people-please to survive. Only to survive into a life that's not even your own.
Baron talks more about his experience with the TED Talk on his Substack.
On my saved list:
🍠 Fully loaded sweet potato by Home Cook (love the way she writes her recipes — makes me want to publish recipes too!)
💕 The Infinite Pussy Glitch: The Data Behind Dating as an Eligible Man in NYC by Love Me Like a Robot
🪁 Why do we consider travelling as “living” when it’s the opposite? by Kayla Doris is Away
📚 Current reads:
👨💼 The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
🌸 At The Foot of the Cherry Tree by Alison Parker