Some of the most meaningful songs come from moments when we finally allow ourselves to stop running from the things that hurt. Heartbreak, grief, self-discovery, and personal growth are not always easy experiences to navigate, but sometimes the process of facing those emotions is exactly what helps us find our way forward. For singer-songwriter Sarah Louise, that emotional honesty sits at the heart of her new single, “Sit With the Feeling.”
Exploring themes of heartbreak, renewal, and the importance of allowing ourselves to experience difficult emotions, “Sit With the Feeling” serves as a reminder that healing isn’t always about finding immediate answers or trying to move past something as quickly as possible. Sometimes, it means giving ourselves the space to feel everything, even when those feelings are uncomfortable.
In our conversation with Sarah Louise, she opened up about the personal experiences that helped shape the song, including the loss of a close friend and the breakdown of a relationship. One particularly meaningful memory came from a friend who once told her she had a gift and that not using it would be doing both herself and the world a disservice. Those words have remained with her, becoming a source of encouragement during moments of self-doubt.
Reflecting on the experiences behind the single, Sarah shared:
“Losing a close friend had a profound impact on the way I see life. They once told me that I had a gift, and that if I didn’t use it, I’d be doing both myself and the world a disservice. Those words have stayed with me ever since, especially during the moments when self-doubt crept in and it felt easier to hide away from the things that hurt. The breakdown of a relationship also forced me to confront emotions I might otherwise have avoided. It taught me that healing doesn’t come from distraction. Sometimes we have to sit with what we’re feeling, be honest with ourselves, and face the truths we’d rather ignore. That realisation became the foundation of Sit With the Feeling. The song is about accepting pain rather than running from it, finding clarity in vulnerability, and understanding that growth often begins when we stop trying to escape what we feel.”
There is something particularly powerful about a song that feels like a conversation with yourself. While “Sit With the Feeling” offers a message that listeners can carry into their own lives, it also became a moment of self-reflection for Sarah. Rather than attempting to fix every emotion or bury the ones that were difficult to understand, she began allowing herself to experience them without judgment.
When asked whether writing the song was also a way of telling herself something she needed to hear, Sarah explained:
“Yes, I think it was a conversation with a part of myself I hadn’t really taken the time to listen to. I was realising that not every feeling needs to be fixed, explained away or buried just because it hurts. Sometimes we need to sit with the things we’ve lost, the things we hoped for and the things we’re still trying to make sense of.
I was giving myself permission to feel the sadness without allowing it to define me. To miss what was, grieve what I thought would be and still leave room for what might be. I think the song is ultimately about learning not to abandon yourself when life doesn’t turn out quite as you imagined. Sometimes healing isn’t about finding all the answers, it’s about being brave enough to sit with what you don’t yet understand.”
That message of self-acceptance also connects beautifully with the title of Sarah’s upcoming EP, Person I Needed. Carrying its own emotional significance, the title reflects the distance between who we once were and who we eventually learn to become. Looking back at earlier chapters of her life, Sarah recognizes how much of what she was searching for in other people was something she ultimately needed to discover within herself.
“I think the person I needed was actually within me all along, I just hadn’t recognised her yet. Looking back, I can see how often I searched outside of myself for reassurance, validation or the feeling that I was enough. I think earlier versions of me needed someone to believe in her, to remind her of her worth and to encourage her not to give up on the things that made her who she was.
What I’ve come to understand is that I had to become that person for myself. Not by having everything figured out or becoming someone different, but by learning to trust my own voice, stand by my choices and stop looking for permission to be who I am. I think there’s something quite beautiful about realising that the person you’ve been waiting for might have been you all along.”
“Sit With the Feeling” brings together dreamy, atmospheric production and soulful vocals, creating a soundscape that carries both beauty and emotional weight. That contrast allows the vulnerability of the lyrics to exist alongside an immersive musical atmosphere, giving the song a feeling that extends beyond its words. For Sarah, the relationship between production and emotion is an essential part of communicating the meaning behind her music. The goal isn’t simply to create a beautiful instrumental around meaningful lyrics, but to make sure every element works together to bring the listener closer to what she is trying to express.
Discussing that creative approach, she shared:
“It’s really important to me because I have to feel what I’m singing, and the production needs to reflect the emotion in my vocals and complement what I’m trying to communicate. I want the music to feel like a natural part of the lyrics, creating a connection as I want people to not just hear the song, but feel it too.”
What makes “Sit With the Feeling” particularly meaningful is its willingness to embrace the uncomfortable parts of being human. It doesn’t suggest that healing is simple, that heartbreak disappears overnight, or that personal growth comes without difficult moments. Instead, it offers something much more honest: permission to feel, to grieve, to question, and eventually to find the strength to move forward without abandoning the person you are along the way.
Through this single, Sarah Louise gives listeners more than a glimpse into her own experiences. She creates space for them to recognize pieces of their own stories, reminding us that sometimes the person we need most is the person we are still learning to become.
https://www.youtube.com/@sarahlouisemusicofficial
https://www.facebook.com/SarahLouiseMusicOfficial
Leave a Reply