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The Philosophy of Billie Eilish
How to navigate an existential crisis through the wisdom of a 22-year-old pop star
Turning fifty this year brought a mix of gratitude and introspection. Physically, I felt great, and overall, life was good. I was an American expat settled in the picturesque countryside of Portugal with a loving husband, two amazing dogs, and a successful creative career.
Yet, beneath this contentment, an undercurrent of existential restlessness stirred.
Perhaps I might have put off doing anything about my unease for a few years, but a jolt came with an unexpected turn in my career — a sudden parting of ways with the corporate world I had navigated for years.
I got fired!
This seismic shift in my professional life, timed perfectly with the milestone of turning fifty, forced me to confront questions I had been skirting: Am I on the right path? And what the hell is my life purpose anyway?
In this moment of upheaval, I found an unlikely source of inspiration: Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” from the Barbie movie soundtrack. Its lyrics, reflecting on life’s purpose and the search for authenticity, resonated with the questions suddenly swirling in my mind.