The Impact of Music

Music has been a staple amongst humans for hundreds, if not thousands of years. It has changed and grown with us, not only throughout our own lives, but with humanity as well. You can hear it on the radio or in the whistle of someone walking past. It is everywhere, constantly integrated into our daily lives whether we chose it to be or not. Music can impact our emotions, our relationships, and even our mentalities. Personally, I believe it has made me become a better version of myself. 

(Photo from @Terri Steele on Pinterest)

If you know me, I love music. I have playlists that are well over a thousand hours long filled entirely with songs that I simply refuse to skip because they are just that good. However, not all of those songs necessarily make me happy. There is always a song to fit your mood or your mental state. Personally, I believe that’s the beauty in it. I think it's beautiful how therapeutic music can truly be if you know what to play. There are so many different types of music, different styles of playing and mixing the same instruments together to create new sounds. However, the sounds you chose to play can sometimes be a reflection of yourself as a person. In this last year and a half, I've done my best to change my tune to one I’m proud to play. 

In January of last year I decided to make a playlist filled with only songs that either lifted my spirits or just made me happy in general. My friend group had gone through the wringer a few months prior and anyone’s who’s experienced that knows it’s not necessarily a pleasant situation. Sometimes it's hard to find solace in a solemn situation. So, I decided to make my own peace, my own little slice of happiness, as small as it may be. I played songs that only made me happy or put a little pep in my step, compiling a playlist that would never leave me without that little extra gaiety throughout the day. I called the playlist “New & Better”, because that’s what I was aiming to be. A simple change of your attitude can completely change how your week progresses, no matter how slow the change may be. By the end of the semester, I truly found myself in a better place than where I started. Now, over a year later, I can truly say I am the best version of myself. Sometimes simply taking that first small step forward for yourself is the biggest leap you’ll have to take in your healing journey. For me, I found that first step in music.