I cannot recall a day in my life where there was no background music or a theme song that described my feelings and emotions on a given day. Music was my first love, perhaps the only thing I daydreamed about making a living out of when I was that naive kid who thought acquiring wealth and adoring fans in the form of superstardom was the solution to my problems. It's hard, they say, to strike gold and "make it big". That being said, music has always been a constant in my life, no matter the directions I go. Music has been around me at my highest, lowest, and everywhere in between. Times may get tough, but there will always be the melodies and lyrics to carry us through. I can't think of any major, critical point in my life where there wasn't a song that perfectly captured that timestamp. There has always been music around me. I cannot go a day without using Spotify.
How music shapes our relationship with our mental health, is a journey. Music can be escapism, just as much as it can be an amplifier (not the kind of amplifier you would plug your guitar into before jamming out, but a mood amplifier indeed!). As someone who often experiences anxiety, I would chronically listen to music to breathe, prior to my recent mindfulness journey where I've began to practice meditation (There is still music in meditation, but that's another story I can tell). I have attended many concerts and local shows here in my hometown of New York City, having seen both big and small acts all across from the iconic Madison Square Garden stage to a cozy bar I frequent with some good friends on a Saturday night. The live show is, without a single doubt, one of the best things about music.
Hearing instruments on a live scale in real time is a feeling that continues to amaze me every time. What makes me the most happy about live music, aside from the obvious connection we get to make with out favorite artists in person for a good two hours, is being able to hear instruments be played and the rhythm it transcends into the audience. When I think of today's popular music, I think about how there is a lack of memorable guitar-driven compositions. On the club stage scene, I enjoy being able to hear well known songs remade by these incredible local bands who play music out of passion for the art. Most of all, I love the feeling of anxiety decreasing as the music plays. Whatever may be causing my anxiety, whether it be an academic problem, a stressful week at work, or a question I don't quite have the answers to, I frantically wish and wish the anxiety could disappear, but what is taking care of your mental health without an outlet? Some people are enthusiastic about sports, while others may be passionate about film or television series, but music has always been my go-to.
My mental health journey is a path of stones and pebbles, and streams with a peaceful flow, accompanied by incredible background music and lyrics. When I think of my personal timeline, and the rush of anxiety floods into my mind, sending an urgency to compare myself to others- I remind myself that I am a work in progress, and to always strive for progress rather than seek the sparkling image of "perfection". As I begin to curate another Spotify playlist, I think of the mood I am in and the songs that match it. I know that, no matter where I am in my life, music will carry me through and there is a lot for me to learn about the journey we call life and the connections we make with those who cross our paths.
Comentários