"If you don’t tell your story, someone else will." — Unknown

Happy Thursday, friends!

Ever felt like your emotions are too big, too tangled, or too overwhelming to put into words? Yeah, same. That’s why I've always turned to writing songs. It's given me a tangible process to identify, simplify, understand, and overcome those intrusive thoughts, adverse experiences, and complicated events that life has a really good habit of throwing at us.

Because here’s the thing: if you don’t tell your story, someone else will. And if you don’t define your truth, life has a way of doing it for you. In other words: it's your life to live - don't let life live you.

Music has always been my way of owning my story—not just reacting to life, but actively shaping it. That’s why my upcoming single Grieve means so much to me. Because let’s be honest: sometimes the hardest part of healing isn’t the pain itself—it’s giving yourself permission to feel it.

The Power of Music to Process, Heal, and Reclaim

I started writing Grieve in a moment of deep frustration — when I realized that grieving someone who is still alive but no longer in your life is its own kind of heartbreak. And yet, I kept coming back to the idea that grief isn’t just about loss. It’s about love. It’s about honoring what was, even as we move forward.

And THAT is the power of songwriting. It doesn’t just document a feeling — it helps us to transforms it. Some people call it cognitive reframe, some call it cognitive restructuring, which is a technique used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)... I just call it the superpowers of what it means to be a creative ;-)

What story are you telling yourself right now?

• Are you stuck in a narrative that no longer serves you?
• Are you ready to reframe your experience and turn it into something powerful?
• What if your struggles became your song? What if your pain became your power?

That’s what songwriting does. It’s what Grieve does for me, and it’s why I believe so deeply in the power of music to help us process, heal, and own our story instead of letting it own us.

See the First Look at "Grieve"

I just dropped the teaser reel for Grieve over on Instagram and YouTube [above] — check it out and let me know what you think! And if you’re as ready as I am for this one, you can pre-save the single (and remixes) here, or - even better - get a sneak peek of the video over on Patreon, and join the conversation. [It's pays to be in Emma G Nation - I'm just sayin ;) ]

Check out what Patreon is all about here.

What’s Happening This Week?

Two Shows This Week!

• Friday, February 21 – The Capitol Groove Collective launch at The Casual Pint, Dunn Lorring, VA. Featuring Fatima Massaquoi (R&B/Soul), Elizabeth Meader (spoken word), and Photoelectric (rock)—hosted by Music Giff.
• Saturday, February 22 – Live at Nanny O’Briens—rescheduled after my last show there got double-booked!

Exciting Speaking Gigs Coming Up!

• I’ve just been booked to speak at two upcoming conferences — one for a company managing the ACH Network (the backbone of the U.S. payments system) and one for the Carolinas Key Club in North Carolina (a leadership conference for high school students)!
• Looking for a speaker or musician for your event? Let’s talk! Book a free connection call here.

New "From the Vault" Demo Drops TODAY on Patreon! This week’s exclusive Patreon demo is “Fulfill You”—a song I wrote at 12 years old that actually won the Coca-Cola SmokeFree Rockquest in my home state that year. [Trust me, that was a big deal in the early 2000s haha]. Want to hear it? Join me on Patreon for exclusive content!

Your Story Deserves to Be Told.

You don’t have to be a musician to write your own song. But you do have to own your story.

So, friends, let me ask you:

• If your life was a song, what would it sound like?
• What lyrics are you singing to yourself every day?
• Are you ready to rewrite your story in a way that empowers you?

Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: our stories don’t define us — how we choose to tell them does.

Rock on, stay inspired, and have an amazing day on purpose.

Emma G

P.S. If you’re feeling stuck in an old narrative, let’s change that. Whether it’s through music, coaching, or conversation—let’s rewrite your story. Comment, or send me a message and let’s chat.