I pretend to be really into music so people think I’m deeper than I am

Okay… here goes. I feel like this might be one of those weird confessions that sits somewhere between harmless and kind of pathetic.

I’ve spent the last few years carefully curating playlists, collecting vinyl, and throwing around names of obscure bands at parties, but here’s the truth: I don’t really care about music the way people around me do. I like it, sure. I enjoy having something on in the background. But I don’t feel it in my soul like everyone else claims to.

I’ll nod along when someone talks about how a certain chord progression “crushed their spirit” or how they cried to some deep cut by Radiohead. And I’ll pretend I’m analyzing lyrics when really I just Googled the meaning and memorized it. I even follow music subreddits and regurgitate top comments in real conversations.

Why? Because people seem to love people who are “into music.” It makes you seem thoughtful. Artistic. Passionate. I’ve always wanted to be seen that way. But the truth is… I’m faking it. And no one knows. Not even my partner, who thinks I’m some kind of emotional sponge when it comes to sound.

Sometimes I wonder if I’m missing something, or if people are exaggerating just to fit in, kind of like I’m doing. Maybe we’re all faking it, a little.