Whenever I’m on a super long car ride, the only way I can pass time without getting car sick is by listening to music. I usually get headaches whenever I’m in the car; it’s annoying and makes the whole ride horrible, but a way I soothe my headaches–without the use of medicine–is by closing my eyes and just listening to the music in my headphones, really appreciating the lyrics and beats entering my ears. 

Music has been a part of my life ever since I was a kid. When I was younger, I took singing and dancing lessons because I loved how it felt to be surrounded by the rhythm and beats of a song. Practicing in a studio with other people who loved dancing or singing was always comforting,and it felt amazing to be surrounded by people who also enjoyed doing the same thing. I loved performing on a stage with music, it was something that always made me happy, because whenever I was dancing or singing, I always had fun. Even though I’ve lost the time to perform, watching people dancing to the rhythm of a song or singing on key still makes me feel so comforted and reminds me of the opportunity I once had.

When I listen to music, it makes super tiring and boring tasks exciting and fun. Turning on my headphones and playing one of my playlists can make me finish my chores a lot more quickly. It can make a long, boring car ride more imaginative and make me less sick, plus it helps me focus better on finishing my homework or any other tasks that I need to complete.My parents always tell me that it’s bad to listen to music while trying to work on something like homework, but for some reason I just can’t focus when I’m in a quiet room. I don’t know why, but I’ve noticed that I get a lot more distracted in a quiet place so listening to music while I work has actually improved my productivity and focus.

Music has also been with me whenever I ever have a bad day, feel stress, or just feel super tired. I always open Spotify and close my eyes, completely letting every sound fill my ears. I listen to every beat, every lyric, and every meaning behind a song. It’s just a mesmerizing feeling to get lost in music; it makes my whole world stop spinning and all my headaches go away.  Listening to music has become a coping mechanism I now rely on, and I wouldn’t be shocked if my Spotify Wrapped came out to say I’ve listened for 30,000 minutes, which is 20 days straight! 

Every song I listen to helps me tap into my emotions and reflect on it. Music essentially keeps me in touch with whatever I’m feeling. Whenever I feel happy and outgoing, I usually play a catchy and upbeat song to keep my mood cheerful. These cheerful songs often lead to me feeling a lot more confident and motivated to do my daily tasks.  Even playing a song that is slow and has more meaningful lyrics helps me really reflect on some of the emotions I like to bury deep down. Sometimes certain songs unlock forgotten memories and with these memories, certain emotions come out. These memories that come out from listening to music help me bond with my loved ones and think about the many different aspects of myself. I truly feel more connected to myself when listening to music than doing anything else.

All music has a story behind it; every lyric, every beat, and every artist is communicating something to the listener. Whether the story is about the hard times in romance, relationships, or life, these stories are a way for artists to let out their emotions. Music has helped me connect myself to my emotions and the many stories these artists are sharing. So thank you music, for always being there for me and helping me understand myself a little better and the people in the world.