Embracing Unity in the New Year: Can We All Just Get Along?

What a year it’s been. For me, it was mostly a quiet one — reflective, more than reactive. I’ve had a few things on my mind lately. I’ve been thinking about what I want to do in 2026, and I’ve also found myself thinking about the people online who tried to bring me down.

I’ve been genuinely appalled by how some people treat others on Threads. One small posting mistake, and the gatekeepers lose their minds. The disrespect comes fast. You share a factual point — like Spotify paying roughly $0.003 per stream — and suddenly someone is determined to make you feel stupid, even when you have the experience, skills, and knowledge to back it up.

At some point, all you can do is step back and look at the situation differently. Consider where the other person is coming from, what their personality might be like, and whether they treat others the same way. Patterns usually reveal themselves.

People who behave like that feel small to me. Instead of working on themselves, they choose to tear others down. They chase a sense of superiority without taking a moment to understand who they’re speaking to — not your work, not your background, not your character. That’s the sad part.

I’ve made sure I’m easy to find. I want to be known — even if it costs me something. Music left unheard goes to waste, and I want there to be a legacy, however small, for the people who care about what I create.

By the time some of you read this, my social media accounts will be deactivated for the month of January. This isn’t only because of disrespectful behavior — it’s for my sanity and my creativity. Both matter more than noise.

So here’s my advice to fellow musicians as we move toward 2026:

If people are nasty to you, show self-respect and walk away — or block them. Don’t engage. They’re not listening, and the behavior won’t change. Let them ruin their own reputations.

Always be kind to each other. Never demean someone over the audio equipment they use. Support one another. We all have different skills, different paths, and different hardware preferences. Respect that. Encourage people to follow their own dreams. That kind of generosity builds real credibility — and it lasts.

Above all, keep songwriting. Keep creating. Keep becoming the person you want or need to be.

It’s your choice. Your life. Your music.