“The ‘Safe’ Path Nearly Derailed Me; Music Helped Me Heal”: An Essay by Christine Bauer for Women's History Month - Atwood Magazine

      In recognition of Women’s History Month, Atwood Magazine has invited artists to contribute essays that explore themes of identity, music, culture, inclusion, and more.

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      Today, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Christine Bauer presents a poignant essay about her choice to leave the ‘safe’ path behind in order to pursue the life she was always meant to lead, as part of Atwood Magazine’s Women’s History Month series.

      Bauer states, “After years of sidelining my music in favor of a so-called ‘safe’ path, I have finally come to realize that music was meant for me all along. With renewed trust in my intuition, a voice honed by experience, and a spirit awakened to the possibility of risk, I’m fully embracing the artist I was meant to be.”

      Since her teenage years, Christine Bauer has been a self-taught guitarist and songwriter, establishing her own niche with her genuine storytelling and authenticity. Her debut EP in 2013 laid the groundwork for her career, and her music has since been featured on prominent Spotify playlists. Her visibility on WSMV’s Today in Nashville has further solidified her status as an emerging talent in country music.

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      By Christine Bauer

      I didn’t adhere to the expected path.

      I didn’t prioritize my growth as an artist soon enough. I lacked the clarity and resources to see how, and perhaps I simply wasn’t ready back then. However, the more I have immersed myself in the music industry and the deeper my passion for music has revealed its magic, the more I’m willing to fully commit and take risks, irrespective of expectations. Reflecting on my early days as a self-taught singer-songwriter and a young woman just out of high school, I recognize my hesitance to fully chase my dreams. I see now where I went wrong. I believed that everything needed to follow a specific trajectory and that wanting something didn’t mean it was meant for me. I fell for those misconceptions.

      Consequently, I chose a different path, relegating music to a side hobby. I took the ‘safe’ route, which unfortunately proved to be far from healthy. In fact, I would argue that the ‘safe’ path nearly led to my demise, but that’s a discussion for another time, in another publication. Ironically, and thankfully, music has always been my refuge. On a soul level, it has been the one consistent element keeping me grounded throughout the years. I wish I had recognized this sooner and invested in myself earlier, but I also believe that my journey has shaped me into the artist I am today. I have always been an old soul with a youthful heart, feeling everything intensely.

      As I reflect on the passage of time, I’ve become more attuned to my true self, my feelings, and my connections to both the natural and spiritual realms. Over the past year, I have encountered and processed more anger, sorrow, and pain than ever before, and coincidentally, it has also been my most successful year in music to date. As I have experienced numerous miracles and synchronicities that defy explanation, I have come to understand that music has always been meant for me. It took a moment of total upheaval to finally gain this insight. I firmly believe that our passions are meant for us. What evokes profound joy and emotion in us is what we are destined to pursue. Sometimes we simply fail to listen. Ego can obstruct our path. Fear can grip us. Other voices may echo the lies they have internalized, and sometimes, we do the same. But I am immensely grateful for the journey I have undertaken and the lessons I’ve learned. I appreciate this path because without it, I doubt I would have learned my greatest lesson: to trust myself enough to advocate for my own needs. The ‘safe’ route taught me to stand up and fight for what is right, not just for others but for myself as well. Experiencing trauma through this struggle fundamentally alters one’s perspective and amplifies their voice, which I depend upon heavily as a singer-songwriter and a woman.

      Christine Bauer © 2025

      I was born with the feminine gift of intuitive wisdom, the inner knowing that many speak of. Over the past few years, I have awakened to this gift, striving to balance it with a dominant masculine force. My intuition now encourages me to pursue music wholeheartedly. The ringing in my ears as I write this essay confirms that motivation. I am surrounded by so many loving supporters who believe in my music, far beyond my wildest dreams. I am lucky to be amidst such incredible talent and dedication.

      I wish to embrace that positivity. I want to focus on the good in my life rather than the false sense of security that ultimately leads to despair. I am ready for something greater. I deserve it. We all do. It’s time to follow our true paths. – Christine Bauer