Hi Steemit, I’m Ari...

This is my very first time posting! I’ll be sure to make a more in-depth post properly introducing myself a little later, but for now, I thought this would be a good way to finally start engaging with this platform.

I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I started learning to play the piano at age nine, and sometime in the eighth grade I taught myself to play guitar. I think I wrote my first song at age twelve. I had the privilege of attending a wonderful high school where I had the opportunity to explore music academically.

During those 4 years, I often found myself on stage, performing covers and the occasional original, sometimes in a band, others by myself. Since then, however, my music has become much more...intimate — something I usually only share with people who I know I can trust with the deeper and more vulnerable parts of my being.

So, when I played this song for my dear auntie @zipporah (who I’m sure some of you may know), and she insisted on recording a video for me so that I could enter the open mic, I was initially hesitant. After some self-reflection about why I am so guarded with this aspect of myself, I agreed to let her record the song. After all, the initial spark of inspiration for the lyrics came from a conversation between her and I about the various patterns us humans constantly find ourselves falling into.

I should warn you: this is not a happy song. Although I am only twenty-two, I have had my heart broken quite a few times. Recently, I noticed a pattern: every year for seven consecutive years, someone broke my heart in July. This song is about that.

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people are such funny things
we spend our lives spiraling
I, myself, have lived the same story
time and time again – on repeat

it's always been this way
maybe you can tell me why
nobody ever seems to stay
oh, it's heartbreak in July

lovers are peculiar things
they come in, make their nest, rest their wings
some may stay for a while, and pass the time
but truth, their hearts are never mine

it's always been this way
maybe you can tell me why
nobody ever seems to stay
oh, it's heartbreak in July

but this year, something changed
it's different than it was before
my mind has been rearranged
my heart is an open door

it's always been that way
maybe I finally know why
I must be the one who walks away
oh, it's heartbreak in July

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^{Huuuuge shoutout to @zipporah for shooting and editing this for me. I am eternally grateful for your presence in my life.}