Minding My Own Business

This playlist reflects a mindset of introspection, soul searching, and being alone.
2025 embodies The Hermit, the 9th major arcana card in tarot. (2 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 9)

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Opening with Rich Spirit by Kendrick Lamar, I ended up using three songs from his Mr. Morale (2022) album on this playlist. He’s an artist all about that grind, keeping his head down, and living his life off social media. My boyfriend and I have been diving back into this album, playing it while we work in the studio, so it sets the tone for a playlist all about minding my own business. Kendrick says, “clout chasing hell of a disease” and talks about cutting people off. I’ve spent the past year shifting thoughts and energy away from distractions in order to develop my inner world, which has also meant cutting certain people and energies off as well.

I wanted to balance the seriousness of the playlist with some upbeat songs just for fun, so those are sprinkled throughout the mix while still adhering to the theme.

Megan Thee Stallion and Doechii are two of my favorite artists, and both songs bring different but specific messages to the mix. Young Tina Snow always hard on a hoe, so you know Motion is gonna take it there. I’ve been changing my relationship to money and setting different goals for myself. So when Meg says, “get your motherfuckin’ money up hoe,” I really be listening. Doechii’s song DEATH ROLL has an incredible backing track and her flow on this song is so good. I think she is an incredibly artful rapper and brings a certain aggression and assertiveness to her delivery that I love. “I love the way my ideas flow when I’m not scared… but I don’t like the way it feels when my vices are absent, I’m not there.” She’s so honest, and her words ring true for me too. Becoming more present in my life has meant working on my vices and taking responsibility for changing my habits.

Secret Plan is a sweet and sparkly song with great tempo changes. “I have a secret plan, hold it closely, don’t go too fast. Sequence light, open air, grass grows, skies change…” This song exudes Hermit energy, and invites discovering profound truth within yourself.

Many Times by Dijon is sort of an open letter to the people I’ve cut off. Their negative energies and behaviors became too disruptive. While it has felt a bit like swimming against current, I felt like it would’ve been harder to keep recognizing negative patterns in others and just becoming numb to it. Or that I was somehow co-signing that kind of behavior?

“There you go again, putting on your own rodeo… You push me out, just to flash that smile and lasso me in. Well, I’ve been here a thousand times, I don’t want to go again.” I only have a couple years left of my twenties, so I just think it’s time to cut all that noise and really discover what it means to protect my peace.

I found Zack Fox by watching Abbott Elementary, and I think he’s really funny. He’s goofy and never short of comedic bars, but I also love how he presents himself in interviews too. He, like so many other artists on this playlist, embodies staying hungry for art and receptive to opportunities.

Kendrick comes back in at the middle of the playlist. Die Hard is such a jam while still being so for real. “Can I open up? Is it safe or not? I’m afraid a little, you relate or not?” He just has so much to say across this album and it is all relevant. I must admit I’m a fan.

The songs Funny Thing by Thundercat and Sea Sick by binki are dedicated to the wonderfully important friends in my life. Jeremy is my best friend, so they’re dedicated to him too. They’re goofy, love drunk songs that make me dance. It’s lovely to have precious moments with close friends. These days, I’m less about grand, extroverted events and more about cozy dinners, craft nights, and sleepovers with friends.

The second half of the playlist is a reflection on the mask we all present outwardly vs. our true selves. I’m indulging a little in the feelings that come up when you want to change yourself. VERY ALONE, HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS, and I DON’T LOVE YOU ANYMORE are songs that embody the more emo side of growing pains. I find it appropriate all three songs are in all caps. As I hit my Saturn’s Return this summer, I am really honing in on where my energy is needed most but I still feel emo about it!

Closing with Count Me Out by Kendrick Lamar grounds the playlist. Circling back to that energy of focusing up, loving yourself, and minding your own business, this song rings true. Like Kendrick, I’ve been in therapy, so I just really hear no lies in this song. It hasn’t been easy, and I have felt great emotional turmoil the past year and a half, but I do think I love myself a little more. I encourage anyone that resonates with anything I’ve written so far to be less hard on yourself and to celebrate how far you have come already. Stay strong and write often. Create for yourself and cherish your art.