Soundtrack to Self-Care: Using Music to Navigate Life’s Ebbs and Flows
Ah, mixed CDs! There’s something so special about them—curating a soundtrack to capture a mood, a memory, or a moment. Growing up, I loved crafting that perfect mix to support how I was feeling at the time. The collection was uniquely mine, one that I used to reflect where I was emotionally and guide me through tough moments. Sometimes, music helped me feel reflective, and other times, carefree, or rebellious. Sometimes, music (cue Blink-182) acted as my own personal emotional language, helping me express what words couldn’t.
Fast forward to the era of digital music, where an entire world of music is at your fingertips, and creating playlists can be nuanced and layered as your own experiences. A whole new dimension of self-expression through playlists can grow as big or as intricate as your moods, experiences and identity. The beauty of digital playlists offers a deep dive into the themes of your life: Maybe you can relate to the playlist you created for those days you were figuring out who you were, another list celebrates your wins, and maybe a few captured various moods, or experiences.
Music is so much more than just something to listen to – it can be an incredibly powerful and useful self-care strategy for emotional release, comfort and healing. The genre, beat or song you choose can have the ability to create a space where you can feel seen and heard – allowing you to just be fully present with what you are feeling – without judgement or pressure. I like to think that music creates a space where you can breathe, knowing that the music will hold that space for you.
If you’re thinking about creating a playlist, here are a few things to keep in mind:
As you begin to listen to music with intention, take note of how the music is impacting you emotionally. Music, even favourite music can elicit emotions we weren’t expecting, even if it’s something we usually love. Giving yourself permission to pause or switch tracks when it feels overwhelming is such an important act of self-care. Sometimes, we don’t realize how much our emotional state influences our relationship with music in the moment. Starting with something that aligns with how you’re feeling and being open to the possibility of needing something different shows a lot of self-awareness.
Is there a song that has helped you find your way forward–one that helps you find your resilience or clarity in the midst of a challenge? Or have you ever had a moment where a song you loved suddenly didn’t fit, and you had to step away for a bit? How did you navigate that? The next time we chat, I’d love to hear about your soundtrack, and how music influences your emotional wellbeing, and overall sense of self-care. Until then, take care and enjoy the music that lifts you up!
Written By: Anne-Marie Maille
