Hey there,
Thanks for taking the time to visit my website. If you make it to this blog post, then you deserve a second thank you.
I've been doing a lot of thinking, too much probably, over the last 6 months about the direction I want to go when it comes to music production and my business. Alter Ethos originally started as my moniker under which I released music. However, the meaning of Alter Ethos has evolved. I think it's much bigger than just a moniker. To me, it means the alternative ethos (the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations) to the norm that is sparked by the way we treat each other in our daily lives, as peers, colleagues, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, as creators, music makers, artists, listeners, and humans in general.
I want to help spark the change to how we treat each other; and that starts with myself. I was unhappy for a long time. Simply because I felt like my life hadn't turned out the way I wanted or the way I expected it would. After going through a deep, dark depression, very recently. Something happened. And while I can't explain exactly what it was that changed my mindset or flipped the switch for me. I like to think it was God or the Universe, or whatever you choose to believe in; it could even be yourself.
It doesn't matter what you believe, the point is this. At the end of the day, what helped me was finding connections with other people in the same space I was trying so desperately to find, without realizing it was there all along. I just needed to change the way I looked at it, and to stop seeking approval from people that have no idea who I actually am as a person. All I know, is that I now feel completely renewed. However, I know that life is full of ups-and-downs and that I may not feel this way forever. I'm hopeful that I can gain the tools and the know-how to get myself out of a deep and dark hole more quickly than I previously have been able to.
The fact is, many people are struggling with depression, addiction, loneliness, trauma, personality disorders, divorce, loss of loved ones, losing a job, life events, etc...and most of the time, these people may simply feel misunderstood and at a loss with their purpose in life. That was me, literally 2 months ago.
I want to help spread awareness of mental health and do my part to help people that may be suffering. I've experienced the loss of loved ones in my life to suicide. I myself have also been down that path and it is pretty dark there. You are not alone; the single number one thing that helped me climb out of that hole was talking about it. Sharing it with other people, even though they weren't able to help me feel more happy in that moment. It helped me to realize that I was not alone with my thoughts or the way that I felt. It was hard to open up and share how I really felt with people that were closest to me. The thing about that is, those people that are closest to you and love you the most, will be the ones that are left with a giant hole in their heart with your absence.
Life can be hard and challenging, and it doesn't make sense to make it more challenging than it needs to be. We need to start treating each other more kindly and give each other, including ourselves, a little bit of grace.
Alter Ethos is a lifestyle, it is a vibe, a rhythm, a place for people of all kinds; regardless of race, gender, sexual preference, etc. We are all here together, and we are all human, so let's do the best we can to help lift each other up, rather than tear each other down.
