The biggest reason I chose to take a hiatus is because of boundaries. Now that I have established that I have boundaries (and that having boundaries are okay), it’s time I enforce them.
At theme parks, it is common practice to have a gift shop at the end of each ride or attraction. While this is an opportunity to create memorabilia around the experience to reinforce the theme of the experience itself, the gift shop phenomenon has become somewhat of a pejorative for the cynical to critique themed entertainment spaces and the people who enjoy them.
I’m reclaiming it. I’m a giving person, but I have limits. I have boundaries, and if you don’t like them or how I implement them in my life, you can simply exit my life through the gift shop.
You are welcome in my life as long as you respect my boundaries. If you don’t respect my boundaries or you need me to remind you what my boundaries are, we probably aren’t right for each other. If that’s the case, that’s okay. Not everyone gets along. If we’re not meant to work together, I’m going to ask you to get off the ride and exit through the gift shop.
There are lots of things to purchase in the gift shop. You can purchase any of my scores and play them to your heart’s content. You can purchase any number of future products I may devise. Or you can pass through the gift shop entirely on the way to your next ride or attraction.
If you have no intention of paying me what I’m worth, please exit through the gift shop.
If you’re not going to sign a contract with me, guaranteeing us a professional agreement and protection for both our rights as collaborators, please exit through the gift shop.
If you want to involve me in your drama, please exit through the gift shop.
If you want to create drama in my life, please exit through the gift shop.
If you want to stand on my shoulders to feel tall, please exit through the gift shop.
If you want to take advantage of my disability in communication or social interaction, please exit through the gift shop.
If you don’t communicate with me and expect me to understand unspoken expectations you have of me, please exit through the gift shop.
If you only want to talk to me about my music in terms of how it can be of use to you and not on the actual merits and artistry of my work, please exit through the gift shop.
If you choose to minimize my considerable talents and work ethic because of what I am, whether that be queer, trans, nonbinary, or disabled, please exit through the goddamn gift shop.
If you have no intention of accommodating my disabilities, please exit through the gift shop.
If you judge me before getting to know me, please exit through the gift shop.
If you repeatedly demand I take energy from tomorrow for you, please exit through the gift shop.
And if you want to gaslight me, create chaos in my professional life, or talk about me behind my back while pestering me to write you music for free, please exit through the motherfucking gift shop.