The Good Thing About Disappointment

Songwriter’s Manifesto - Conclusion

Listen here to an unreleased demo of “Disappointed”. Written by TOM DOUGLAS/Sony Music Publishing

Why does someone write a book?

• To share something important.

• To express a burning need.

• Because they think they have all the answers.

• To challenge the world, spark change, or right a wrong.

• Because they love words.

• Because they believe it’ll bring success or money.

• Because they’re searching for themselves.

Yeah, all of that is true, I guess. But for me, I wrote this because I was disappointed.

Disappointed in my songs.
Disappointed in myself.
Disappointed in the time I’d wasted and the dreams I’d stopped chasing.

Here’s why:
The dismissals.
The soul-crushing grind.
The apathy.
The arrogance.
The condescension.
It nearly broke me.

I was disappointed that I had let myself be caught in the grip of a culture that suffocated my heart, mind, and soul. Instead of creating, I chose to numb myself.

One day, it hit me. I looked at the needle in my arm—literally and figuratively. I saw the poison dripping in, numbing me until I felt nothing at all.

It wasn’t just addiction. It was social media, politics, fear, jealousy, comparison. Pick your poison.

I had been distracting myself to death.

Maybe you get it. Actually, I know you do.

I wasn’t living—I was just surviving.