Tim Bergling, known to most in the world as the artist Avicii, would have been 35 today if he were still alive. Yet, in a way, I think he always will be.
As I shared with my family on our group chat this morning, his music had a significant impact on me in my 20s.Ā
As life was beginning to wear me down, as I struggled to be in the corporate job I was in at the time, I came across the song āI Could Be The Oneā
The song had an accompanying video, which hit me HARD.Ā
In those moments I felt alone, crazy even, that song and video spoke to me like nothing else did at the time.Ā
"I think Iām trapped in somebody elseās master plan. Go to school, get a job, get a mortgage. All Iām really doing is dying."Ā
Interestingly (youāll know why if you watch the video through to the end), it was a family trip to Barbados in early 2015 where I spent days lying on the beach, looking at the ocean, and doing mindfulness meditation, that I fully realised I had to leave that corporate job. I started visiting and applying to universities right after I got back from that trip, and I would hand in my notice weeks later on the day I received written confirmation of an offer to study a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) at the University of East London.Ā
Timās beautiful music, words and collaboration have accompanied me on many a commute, walk, workout, and deep work session since.Ā
He is one of only 3 artists I have a dedicated playlist to on Spotify.Ā
A poignant quote in the documentary Avicii: True Stories features in the epigraph of my latest book.
Timās family are carrying on his legacy through the Tim Bergling Foundation:Ā
Dear all,
Tim's tragic death has deeply affected many people all over the world. He had just begun his journey to get to know and be part of the world outside music.
Tim was a seeker, a sensitive and a shy person who wanted to know the truth and find ways to an inner peace, he reacted to the injustices of the world and cared deeply about the planet.
Yet it was in his music that he expressed himself, honestly and openly, and it gave him the most joy... the creative process and collaborations with the people he loved and respected for their art and talent.
In light of our loss, a loss that is indescribable as parents, but also to Tim's friends, colleagues in the music business and millions of Tim's fans around the world, we felt we should make sure that Tim's legacy is used to help in ways that can hopefully make a difference in some important areas.
With that in mind, Anki and I decided to start and dedicate ourselves to the Tim Bergling Foundation, which is the best thing we can do to honor our son.
With love,
Klas Bergling & Anki LidƩn
One way you can support them is by buying the book: The Life and music of Tim Bergling
Through his art and his foundation, Avicii lives on.Ā
Thank you, Tim <3Ā
"I found something really greatā¦ you know Carl Jung? He was like a psychoanalyst who had this system of personality types. Itās so wild. Iāve been like this all day and read up onā¦ as far as Iām concerned it completely explains the psyche.
According to this, Iām an introvert, and I prefer intuition to sensation. For example, I struggle a lot with small talk. Iām pretty good at it, but I donāt enjoy it at all. I get nothing out of it. Extroverts get more out of socializing. They can mingle at parties or whatever. I always have deep talks with people, so small talk is something I have to suffer through rather than something I enjoy.
Iāve always felt judged for not being an extrovert. Iāve felt like being an introvert is inferior. And just reading about it todayā¦ I mean Iāve read a lot of different things the last six months, but this was incredible. It was a breakthrough. Not just one, but many different breakthroughs. And I finally realized why I shouldnāt be concerned with other peopleās opinions.
Itās stuff like that, the evolution of everything, which Iāve been reading about all day.
To me, itās like finding a path to well-beingā¦ Carl Jung was f*cking awesome."
ā Tim Bergling (Avicii)