Notices by Erik L. Midtsveen 🏴🏳️‍🌈 (midtsveen@social.linux.pizza)

I think the only person in my family who might be surprised by this thread is my mom. She might not fully understand just how much Zoë Straub's music means to me, but reading through this will show her how deeply her songs have impacted my life.

This thread is all about how Zoë's artistry has been a source of personal healing for me. Her music has been there for me during tough times, providing emotional support and helping me navigate life's challenges. It's not just about enjoying her songs; they've become an integral part of my well-being and self-discovery journey.

I hope that by sharing this, my mom will see just how much Zoë's music has helped me grow and find comfort in difficult moments.

She is more than just a favorite artist; she has become a lifeline that has made a real difference in my life.

📌 Pinned Thread

I realized this thread is gonna be me ranting about how much I love Zoë Straub. Oh well, thread continues whenever I feel like it, I guess!

#ZoëStraub #MusicTherapy #Depression #Suicide #MentalHealth #Healing

Most people turn to family or friends when they need emotional support. But for some of us, it's different. We find comfort in our own space, surrounded by the things that matter most to us.

For me, that's my apartment with my Denon CEOL RCD-N12DAB playing Zoë's music through my Kirkaeseter Prisma 60 speakers. It's my personal sanctuary where I can truly let go and heal.

I only listen to Zoë when I'm alone. Sharing her music with others feels wrong somehow. It's like they're intruding on something deeply personal. I know it's not rational, but I can't help feeling angry and sad if someone else plays her songs. It's as if they're taking away her power to heal me, even though that's not really what's happening.

As I have said before in this thread, Zoë's songs are more than just entertainment, they're a lifeline that helps me process my feelings and find peace.

Zoë's music is my go-to for emotional healing. It's right up there with the soundtrack from the video game GRIS, which is another story I'll share another time.

May 14, 2016, is a day I'll never get back, but it's also a reminder of how music can save lives.

When people see me listening to Zoë Straub, they should just leave me the fuck alone. It's not about being antisocial; it's about respecting my personal space. Zoë's music is more than just entertainment for me; it's a way to process my emotions and find some peace.

Like I said, when others are around, it can feel like they're intruding on something deeply personal. It's not rational, but I get this feeling that they're trying to take away the healing power of her songs. So, if you see me with my headphones on, blasting Zoë, just let me be. It's my way of dealing with shit, and I need that space to myself.

It's true, if I hadn't seen Zoë Straub live on TV, I wouldn't be alive today.

Life is worth living, and there are always better options than suicide.

Look, I get it. Some folks might think I'm full of shit, making up this whole thread about Zoë Straub. They might not believe anyone could be this into an artist's music or use it for emotional healing like I do.

But here's the thing, if you really wanna know the truth, just ask my dad's side of the family. They've seen firsthand how much Zoë's music means to me. They know it's not some made-up story or exaggeration.

My connection to Zoë's songs is real, and it's deep. It's been a huge part of my life for almost a decade now. Sure, it might seem weird or over-the-top to some people, but that doesn't make it any less true.

So yeah, doubt me if you want, but the people who know me best can vouch for this. Zoë's music has been my lifeline, and that's just how it is.

Don't bother asking my mom about this, just don't. She's not gonna get it at all. She needs to hear it from my dad's side of the family or read this thread to understand my lifeline.

Like I said, this thread is actually a way for her to see just how deep my connection to Zoë's songs goes. It's not just about liking her music; it's about how it's helped me through tough times and become a part of my emotional healing.

So, if my mom wants to understand why Zoë's music is such a big deal for me, she should real read this thread multiple times and talk to my dad's family. They can fill her in on just how real this is for me.

Welcome to my lifeline, mom! I guess this is your crash course in understanding why Zoë's music means so much to me.

2017-2019 were really tough for me.

I was depressed and slept way too much, trying to escape.

But whenever I played Zoë Straub's music on repeat, it helped ease the pain.

Her song "Loin d'ici (ESC Version)" was my lifeline back then, and remains one today.

I want to keep this thread focused on Zoë's music and how it's affected me, without getting into other topics, so I've cleaned up the thread to edit out any political mentions.

Like right now, I'm feeling a bit down, and her song is helping me have an emotional release.

There's one other album that does this for me too, but that's not by Zoë - I'll talk about that in another thread sometime.

I guess being autistic plays a huge role in why Zoë Straub's music is such a lifeline for me. Her songs hit me in a way that nothing else can, becoming this constant, comforting presence that helps me navigate the chaos of emotions I often struggle to process.

It's not often you see autistic folks like me being open to emotional release. Hell, most of the autistic people I know in real life can't even let their guard down around their parents. But Zoë's music? It's different. It's like she's found a way to bypass all my defenses and speak directly to my soul.

Sure, I might be able to squeeze out a tear around my family, but it's nothing compared to what happens when I'm alone with Zoë's music. We're talking full-on emotional floodgates here. After a session with her songs, my clothes are soaked through, but I feel lighter, like I've finally been able to let go of all the pent-up feelings I've been carrying around. It's intense, it's personal, and it's exactly what I need to keep going.

I love Zoë Straub, not because of her personal life or political views, but because she created music that brings me joy and keeps me going. Her songs have had a profound impact on my well-being, providing comfort and emotional support during difficult times. Music has the power to influence our mental health positively, and in my case, Zoë's artistry has been a crucial lifeline.

While it's natural to be curious about artists we admire, it's also valid to separate the art from the artist. The emotional connection and therapeutic effect of music can exist independently of the creator's personal life or beliefs. What matters most is how the music resonates with you and supports your mental health.

In the end, Zoë Straub's music has been a source of happiness and a reason to stay alive for me. This personal impact is what truly counts, regardless of any external factors or opinions about her as an individual.

As someone who avoids mainstream social media platforms, I found myself in a dilemma about how to reach out to Zoë.

Sending a personal message through her professional channels didn't feel right. So, I decided to write an open letter, expressing my heartfelt appreciation for her music and its impact on my life.

I've made this letter public on my GitHub, and it's now readable on my website at: https://midtsveen.github.io/letter.html

"Sans aucun doute, j'te suis"

It's 04:25 now, and I still haven't slept, because I have been playing "Loin d'ici" since 23:49, trying to unwind and clear my head.

It's been helping me process some stuff, and her song always seem to hit the right spot when I'm feeling down.

"In a country far away from here, we sing, we dance."

Yep, without Zoë being born and pursuing her music career, I'd be dead. No question about it.

Her music has been my lifeline through suicidal thoughts, gender dysphoria, and death anxiety.

Zoë's artistry has kept me alive through the darkest times, and her voice speaks to me, reminding me I can keep going when I have no strength left.

I know it might sound strange to connect a pop star so closely with my suicidal thoughts and death anxiety, but Zoë's music has been a lifeline through my darkest moments.

"Even if the road seems to be a dead end, without a doubt I will follow you"

It's amazing when she can help me regulate my feelings and provide an outlet for emotional release, especially when I need to let out a good cry.

It's like having a trusted companion that's always there to help me process my emotions and feel better afterward.