Music: The Beat To Life?

I’ve noticed that I tend to have a constant soundtrack playing behind me like I’m in a movie or something. Maybe it’s because I romanticize my life. Maybe it’s because my brain works better that way. Maybe hearing the same sounds is comforting to me. Maybe the music fits the mood.

I listen to reggaeton in the car, either to pump myself up before work, or rap to amplify the feeling of warm wind on my face as I drive during golden hour. 

I listen to ballads or lyrical music while I write to stimulate my thoughts. I listen to jazz or instrumental beats when I do schoolwork to help me stay locked in. 

I listen to house music (EDM) when lifting in the gym to help pump the blood for each rep. 

Music is the beat of life to me. I have always loved it. It helps define feelings for me, ideas, thoughts, emotions, or stages of life. 

If you could listen to an old playlist that you made from five years ago, it would instantly transport you back to those sounds, feelings, and whatever was going on in that stage of your life. However, sometimes I wonder if I’m doing too much. I mean it got to the point where I always have something playing in the background. Showering? Music. Hanging with family for game night? Background music. Walking to work? Music.

I am the type of person that wants to constantly test myself (crazy, but hear me out) and I never want to feel like something has power over me. Even something that I cherish so much, like music. I got the idea to do a “fast” from music for a week. No more music in the car, no mindlessly searching Spotify for something to perfectly fit the current mood. No more jamming. I took a break, and I made it a point to be more intentional. 

I want to really hear what is going on around me. I want to hear the wind, the birds, the rain, the silence.

I tried to fill these now empty spaces with reflection and prayer, and to summarize: I found it very helpful. Of course it’s weird at first, and I got an itch to put something on, but that quickly faded.

Eventually, of course, we put the music back on, but now with more intentionality. Balance is great in all areas of life and you can never be too extreme about something like this. Music can be such a blessing, after all.

Anyway, do you think that you use music as escapism from certain feelings or thoughts? Do you think that you could take a break like I did and see what happens? Just something to think about. Ciao!