Going viral on social media after its release on Olivia Deanâs latest album âThe Art of Lovingâ, âBaby Stepsâ holds a special place in my heart.Â
After struggling greatly this year with my mental health and battling against the frenemy that is an eating disorder, I was told that I would most likely not be able to go to university. Silence filled the room and my eyes began to tear up. My dream, for as long as I could remember, appeared to be crumbling before me in that very moment. An aspiration that seemed so concrete after endless open days and trips up and down the country to find the perfect university, which was Leeds from the moment I saw it, quaked and no longer appeared to be my plan that had been set in stone for so long.
I was then faced with this huge new fear that was not even something I had ever considered before. University was, in my head, my only option. How would I change all my plans when I had already firmed my place? What would I even do because all my friends are still leaving? My therapist saw my panic, my shock, my sadness, and anger and bestowed upon me two wise words in the suggestion of a solution: âbaby stepsâ.Â
Even a crawl felt incomprehensible in this moment, but I trusted her. Each day, a baby step would get me closer and closer to reaching my dream no matter how many falls, tears, and doubts came along the way with those small steps.Â
On the 26th September, the release date of my favourite artistâs latest album, I heard the song for the first time, sat in my University of Leeds hall of residence. Immediate replay.Â
A song centred around independence, hard work, self-love, and the eventual beautiful fruit of one’s courage, this song epitomises the experiences of all those who have struggled and had to rebuild themselves one baby step at a time. Whether that be from a breakup, the loss of a loved one, not getting accepted for your dream job or university, this song provides an emotive and evocative response in all those seeking to better themselves.Â
The first verse concludes with the line, âIt’s not the end, it’s the making ofâ and to me that provides the sense of hope so clearly evident in all of Deanâs songs, and serves as a blanket for all those in the midst of adversity in whatever subjective sense that may be; giving us all a reminder that it truly is the baby steps, and the journey, rather than the end point, that is most poignant.Â
To conclude, my parting message is a set of simple instructions:
Stream âBaby Stepsâ (and the whole album). Embrace the love âlaced in every songâ. And buy yourself a treat whilst youâre at it, because the baby steps really are the hardest part (accidental reference – iykyk), and are worth every ounce of pride for taking.Â
Editor: Macy Hughes