Music may be one of the most influential arts we have the pleasure of partaking in. The way it hits your soul and lights up your mood. It can influence you in ways you never imagined. Music can be nostalgic, give you a sense of deep pleasure, make you cry, make you scream. It’s very powerful in that way. And the best part is, we can use music to influence ourselves to feel a certain way when we need it. I know what’s on my playlist is carefully curated to my ever changing moods and daily activities.
I like to listen to music throughout the day while I’m working and cleaning my house. It keeps my mind occupied but also allows me to go off on a tangent and meditate on something or work something out in my head. Depending on what I’m doing I listen to certain types of music. If I’m working on the blog I’ll usually listen to something calming without words. If I’m cleaning and need a little energy boost I’ll listen to upbeat music with lyrics I know and can recite easily.
What’s on My Playlist?
So…what’s on my playlist? I’ve got a mix of music I like to listen to for certain activities in my life simply because they influence me to feel a certain way making me feel more connected to the moment. I like to listen to pop, classic rock, hip hop, meditative music, angsty teen music, soundtracks from movies, and a whole lot more. I like most music except hardcore rap and country. Those are my two bugaboo’s. Other than that, just about anything and everything is on my playlist!
Lizzo – She’s What’s on My Playlist!
YAAASSSS QUEEENNN!! Lizzo is my giiiiirl! She is what’s on my playlist! Ooo the way she makes me feel, it’s inspiring! I put Lizzo on in the car and when I’m cleaning because it gives me the energy to do exactly what I need to do while feeling like a total badass. Her songs are so strong, powerful, and uplifting. I’m immediately in a good mood when I hear a Lizzo song. Here are some of my favorite Lizzo songs and why.
Good As Hell is such a fun song! It’s a feel good song with a poppy beat and lyrics that will change your life. She sings about a man not loving her anymore and basically brushes it off and continues to feel good as hell. Lizzo don’t let anyone ruin a good day, so why should I?
Truth Hurts may be my all time favorite Lizzo song. Mmmhmm, from the blunt lyrics to the booty shaking music, it’s got all the good feels. For anyone that’s been wronged or hurt, this song is for you! Sing it from the rooftops for all to hear. This song makes me dance and bounce all around my living room.
Soulmate is another smash hit. If you ever need a quick pep talk, this is your song! Lizzo sings all about what being her own soulmate means and how happy it makes her. I think it’s important for us to all remember we’re our own soulmates and that we’ll never be lonely because we’ll always be there for ourselves no matter what. This song is a reminder to love myself and all my various forms and that I’ll always be my number one.
I Love Me – Demi Lovato
I Love Me by Demi Lovato is a love song to yourself. It speaks the truth of our daily pitfalls and struggles and reminds us that in spite of those things we can still love ourselves. I love this song and it’s what’s on my playlist because it’s is so real and raw. I find Demi to be a very real and raw person, anyway. But this particular song hits different. I think my favorite line from the song is, “I’m my own worst critic, talk a whole lot of sh!t, but I’m a 10 outta 10, even when I forget!” Because I do talk a lot of sh!t to myself and at the same time I still love myself. At times, I still find myself asking when that will be enough, though. Just like Demi.
Let it Go – Frozen
Let it Go from Frozen is such a powerful song for me. There are times I can barely make it through without crying. This song is on my playlist because it makes me feel powerful as the woman I am today. It makes me emotional because there are things in my life I need to let go of and this song is a reminder for me.
Growing up I felt like I had to change who I was to be seen as this perfect little girl, but as I grew I realized these things I was trying to do and this person I was trying to be wasn’t me. As Glennon Doyle would say, I’d packed myself up small into a bunch of boxes and had no room to move. It was suffocating me. So when I decided to be myself, I finally felt free. Free from the boxes that stored me away and never allowed me to take up space. Free from the opinions of what everybody thought I should be. And this song reminds me of that every time I hear it.
7 Rings – Arianna Grande
7 Rings by Ariana Grande is bad. ASS! While I’m not the material type person, I can appreciate a song about a woman goin’ out there and gettin’ it! This song makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. If I want it, I can go get it. I’m not that independent or confident of a person so you may find me playing this song before I have to do something nerve racking like doing something new by myself for the first time. It’s amazing to me the confidence this song gives me. I love how music can do that for you.
Meditative Mind
Meditative Mind is a page I’ve subscribed to on YouTube. This is the music I listen to when I’m writing the blog or just need to be calm and relaxed. It allows me concentrate on the task at hand without having complete silence. If I’m listening to music with words while I’m writing the blog, I tend to get distracted by the music, so the wordless songs found on Meditative Mind work perfectly for me. What’s cool about this page is that there are different songs for different needs. If you need to align your chakras there’s chakra music, if you need to get rid of negative thoughts and emotions, and if you need to boost your energy there’s even music for that, too. Whatever kind of mood you’re in, or want to be in, you can find music for it on Meditative Mind.
One of the more luxurious things I like to do for myself is take hot epsom salt baths. Sometimes, if I want to realign my energy or simply zen out for a while I’ll put my chakra crystals in the water and listen to Meditative Mind. It’s so soothing. Give it a try sometime!
What’s on My Playlist and Mental Health
You’re probably wondering why What’s on My Playlist is my blog post for this week since it really has nothing to do with mental health. On the contrary, my friend! Music has a lot to do with mental health. It can help reduce stress and depression, help you fall asleep, improve your memory, make you motivated, and improve your mood.
I suffer from PTSD and use music to help calm myself. It’s a safe and effective coping mechanism I’ve developed over the years. While reading an article on music and mental health I stumbled upon something I found interesting about music and PTSD. It’s said that music therapy can actually calm your mood and reduce symptoms of PTSD like mood swings and high reactivity. It also went on further to say:
“The music works by triggering a release of good chemicals and hormones throughout the body, like dopamine and serotonin. These are able to work to distract the body from negative thoughts that have started, but also help to boost your mood overall so that you can start to feel a little better in yourself.”
Will Tottle in Behavioral Health, Blog, Developmental Disabilities, Self Care
How amazing is that?! Music is a powerful tool we have in our tool belt.
What’s on Your Playlist?
I love listening to music, and I tend to listen to the same stuff over and over. I have a close group of friends who likes to share a new song once in a while and I’ll add it to my playlist. So every now and again I’ll get a new song. However, I’d like to find more new songs to add to my playlist. This is where you, the reader, comes in. What are you listening to, what songs wake you up in the morning, what songs get you through your day? What’s on your playlist?! I’d really love to hear from our readers on this one.
Thank you for joining me today on this musical journey!
Stay groovy ✌️🎶
Kay 💛