Story by Seriah Buckler
On October 21 Adele released an open letter to her fans that was very honest and from an introspective view. For me it was comforting and an affirmation that the only way to live life is in the present moment. In her letter she spilled examples of how she’d always tried to rush life or how she “wished” her life was something other than what it was.
Haven’t we all done that? I, myself, remember being 16 and wanting to be 18 so bad. Then 18 came and I wanted to be 21 with that same intensity. But how funny is it that when we get to those ages nothing, magically, changes?
It’s fitting that Adele’s new album is titled 25. It’s right around when you hit your mid-twenties that you take inventory of your life and you have to decide how you’re going to proceed into the future. As Adele so eloquently stated you’re “on the edge of being an old adolescent and a fully-fledged adult.” Now, what are you going to do? I am proud of Adele for declaring that she will leave the past behind and work on who she wants to be moving forward.
We get so caught up with this idea in our head of what life should look like instead of just enjoying the space we’re in, the life we have and the joy right at our fingertips. How many times have you, yourself, thought “What I wouldn’t give to be a kid again?” But we can’t go back, time only moves forward. Adele revealed, “I feel like I’ve spent my whole life so far wishing it away. Always wishing I was older, wishing I was somewhere else, wishing I could remember and wishing I could forget too.”
View image | gettyimages.comI really believe Adele’s letter was a warning to her fans and a reminder to herself that the greatest thing you can do in life is be PRESENT! No matter what the moment looks like: good, bad or indescribable. Enjoy it! The only things we can take with us from the past are memories, so why not make them breathtaking by putting our all into right now?
This letter is a reminder that we’re all human. We all have insecurities, we all have regrets and we’ve all looked back and said “What the hell was I thinking?” Recently, I broke up with my boyfriend of seven years. We shared a lot of good times and great memories, but as I move closer to 30 I started thinking about different things that I wanted that at 19 or 21 I didn’t even know I cared about. Walking away from that relationship was one of the hardest things I could have ever done. When I made the decision I was unsure, sometimes I still am. I believe what’s meant for me is meant for me and that there’s possibly something greater out there. Most of all, Adele’s letter is a blazing siren that the only thing you’re guaranteed is this very minute, nothing more.
I am excited with anticipation for what’s to come of 25. I believe it will be an album that makes others take a look at their lives and ask the big question “Am I happy?” And if the answer to the question is “no,” with Adele’s help, they’ll now have the courage to change the things that don’t add to their complete happiness. Maybe this album will give people the courage to drop all the weighty baggage they’ve been carrying for years, forgive themselves and move into a healthier space of life. Self-acceptance is a beautiful thing.
I hope that the completion of 25 was as therapeutic for Adele as it is going to be for her fans. I’m sure this album will be laden with tear-jerkers but it will also be sprinkled with songs that speak to our hearts and tell us that “your life is precious and amazing just the way it is.” I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.