S3 Scribble #6: Underneath

“There is no difference in what we’re doing in here,”

I’m in the home stretch of the semester. Lots of final papers, exams, and projects are coming up, but in the back of my mind, I know that there is a month of rest waiting for me once I complete them. I haven’t spent much time at home in the past year, and I’m looking forward to being able to have more than a few days at home for my upcoming winter break. 

“That doesn’t show up as bigger symptoms out there.”

Today, my mom bought Alanis Morissette tickets so we can go to her concert together this summer. Music has always been something that my mom and I have bonded over, and even though the concert is over six months away, I am very excited for it and grateful that my mom is as well. This inspired me to listen to Alanis Morissette on my walk to class today, and I was reminded of how her music makes me feel so understood. Right now, the song “Underneath” resonated with me because of its emphasis on the need to heal yourself before you are able to most effectively extend that healing outward.

“So why spend all our time dressing our bandages?”

This past year, I’ve learned something very important: in order to do my best externally, I have to feel good internally. This internal healing can happen through many activities: recharging alone, going on a run, spending time with friends, journaling, calling my loved ones, going to therapy, and more. For me, it’s been a combination of things, but as I gear up to finish the Fall 2023 semester, I feel great inside – I feel satisfied, hopeful, and capable. Of course, I occasionally feel doubt, anxiety, and unease. This is natural, and I now know that these feelings are not permanent and never are. As I keep working on myself and my inner mentality, I am confident that my strength, courage, and positivity will continue to see me through.

“When we’ve the ultimate key to the cause right here, our underneath.”

Listen to Underneath by Alanis Morissette here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVfz74FayzM

Sydney Braun

University of Michigan Class of 2024. Pronouns: she/her. Double Major in Environment and Communication & Media. Huge fan of 80s/90s music, not a fan of single-use plastic water bottles. Be sure to check out Song Scribbles With Sydney, where I use my favorite music to help analyze my emotions and experiences at college, posted every Wednesday!

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