Self-Awareness. It’s a coming-of-age type of trait we can only grow in. I listen to this song and can’t shake the idea out of my head that this song is telling us to be introspective – just for those three minutes and fifty-one seconds. The lyrics invoke this theme that who we are as of now and who we have yet to become is highly shaped by the people we keep and the experiences we have with them.
I love the mention of parental influence in this song because it’s true that the bonds we have with our family – whether we like it or not – are powerful. There are lessons our parents taught us that we may have long forgotten, up until we’re out trying to do life on our own and realize that hey, there was probably a purpose to their lectures and those awkward moments of sitting on the living room couch. Not to mention the traits we probably inherited from them as well – more than just the phenotype, of course, I mean quirks, tendencies and reactions of the sort we got simply by just watching them and being around them for so long.
It takes a while to even recognize, and we’ll continue navigating through our personal connections with our spheres of influence (past and present) for as long as we live. I think that’s pretty cool and I also think that’s what Hippo Campus is getting at here. So self-awareness is as much learning how to be better as it is recognizing patterns in your life and behavior that are a reflection to your upbringing.
On a last note, I also think “South” would want us to know that we have so much power over our past experiences because they’re not what ultimately define us! Maybe the first step to learning how to be your best self is simply realizing the particular ways you’ve been shaped and going from there…
So play this song, feel free to be as reflective or nostalgic as you wish and see where it takes you!
You can learn more about Hippo Campus here:
About The Curator - Jordan Yutan
Jordan finds joy in simple things like brunch, naps on the grass, and long car rides with the music on high. Her version of fun consists of dance parties, movie marathons and – of course – karaoke. Music has been such a key part in shaping her spirituality. She believes the first time she felt God reaching out to her was through a song and that still happens time and time again. She sees music as a vessel to vulnerability and will gladly invite anyone to listen, but especially wants to hear the songs in their own hearts. She dreams of visiting cafés all across the world, and meeting all kinds of people over a cup of coffee. But for now, she’s making the most out of college, soaking up the sun in her beautiful campus of UC Santa Barbara.
