I was born in Norway in June. I spent my childhood in a fjord known as “the fjord of light,” in a brown house by the sea. My fjord didn’t have many inhabitants but was abundant in trees. Beneath their roots lay mountains, and under their leaves, I often found peace and the wonderful sensation of simply being alive.
As a child, I had a deep appreciation for silence. From silence emerged music. I often sang to myself, hoping to bring joy to the quiet surroundings. Silence also nurtured patience and the ability to find happiness in my own company.
Nature taught me to think, find solutions for my sadness, and create space for it. Whenever I returned home, I felt like a better person; it was truly magical. I constantly felt this ancient need to capture that moment — something as powerful and delicate as being alone in nature with nothing to shield me from my thoughts. This is how music entered my life, blossoming from solitude and now thriving in the presence of others.
At around 11 years old, I wrote a song titled ‘Runaway.’ I didn’t share it with anyone until I began my journey as an artist at age 16. Now, it is one of my most recognized songs. Reflecting on the past decade since ‘Runaway’ came into being is a strange experience – it's remarkable how something so small can evolve into something so significant.
For those who may not know, my name is AURORA, and I hail from Norway. I write and produce music, I enjoy reciting Pi, and I have a mild phobia of flour and things that are sticky. Like many, I have felt uprooted and lonely in this world; out of place among others while still wishing to feel at home. However, since becoming an artist, people have created homes within my music, and in return, I’ve finally realized that I am not alone.
We seem to possess the ability to transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones. We may suffer wounds that appear irreparable but still manage to discover ways to heal what feels broken. Even in those moments, we extend our arms, hoping that someone who feels just as lost will grasp onto it and feel acknowledged.
Perhaps it’s because we can’t truly make sense of pain unless we channel it for something positive. Pain can become knowledge and understanding; like an invisible thread connecting us to one another, even to strangers. Once we've taken the time to heal, we become adept at recognizing pain in others.
We become beautiful warriors.
I often reflect on the idea that being human is an extreme sport. There’s so much to navigate in this world, and it drains everyone’s energy.
We seem to be hyper aware yet passive simultaneously. Perhaps it stems from an understanding that something is deeply amiss. Deep within, we sense it. Species have become extinct, forests have been destroyed, entire cultures have been erased, family recipes honed over centuries left unshared, songs that have outlasted our lives forgotten. We feel acutely in our hearts that something is wrong.
As if we are living only half a life.
It may be impossible to genuinely find peace on this earth without breaking free from everything that hinders us from living life fully—the right to love and to be who we wish to be. We don’t need to compete against one another to succeed, even though that’s a constant narrative. At least, that’s what music has taught me so far; through opening up and being met with kindness in return.
I am meant to belong in this world.
And I am meant to be courageous enough to allow others to be part of mine.
I may not intend to change it.
But I will change for its betterment.
Somehow, a song I wrote at 11 has come to life, dancing joyfully with strangers. It has connected with souls across the globe to keep it alive. Like everything, it’s up to us whether we let something fade away or thrive. I find myself wanting to do the same, to be as brave as my song, and dance with strangers too.
I want to connect and be connected.
I want to give and receive.
It’s such a beautiful experience.
Being a genuine human being.
Photo Credit: Wanda Martin
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I was born in Norway in June. I was raised in a fjord called "the fjord of light," in a brown house alongside the ocean. My fjord didn’t expand much.