“Ocean” was written in the spring of 2023, about seven months after one of the most painful and disorienting breakups I had ever experienced. In the aftermath of that heartbreak, I unexpectedly connected online with another musician. What began as a simple exchange of messages quickly grew into a deep connection that carried a powerful, emotional weight.
As the months went on, I noticed how much of my sense of worth and happiness depended on this new person’s attention. My mood often rose and fell based on something as small as a text message. That realization hit me hard—it revealed how much healing I still had to do, healing I hadn’t even recognized was necessary.
In that moment of awareness, I made a choice: to step back, redirect my energy, and commit to choosing myself. At the time, I was living with family, but I knew I needed solitude to process the emotions stirring inside me. So I went out to my car, gave myself space, and poured everything into writing. In less than an hour, “Ocean” was written and recorded—raw, unfiltered, and overflowing with the emotions I needed to release. (You can still find the original video on my Facebook and Instagram—it’s the one where I’m sitting in my car.)
Fast forward to the spring of 2025: I finally met that same connection in person for the very first time. Today, we’re in a loving, committed relationship. Life has a beautiful way of coming full circle when you learn to trust the process.
The heart of this story is simple yet profound: if you want to experience true, unconditional love, you must first learn to give it to yourself. Choosing self-love creates the energy that draws more of it into your life. Trust yourself. Trust love.
With love,
Carlie