Hello mental health champions, how are you doing?
Well what a freaking start to 2021, am I right? It really seems like 2020 was just the first edition and now we’re on to the sequel. I have decided that any day I am healthy is a good day. I am really trying to not see things as so black and white. Things aren’t just good or bad. There are good things in everyday life. There are sometimes bad things that happen everyday. BUT- in 2021, I am deciding to take solace in the good everyday and remind myself just how lucky I am. This week, I haven’t had the best mental health week. I had two panic attacks, which was a major setback for me personally. It was disheartening for sure to feel like I took a step back with my mental health, but I know that anxiety is chronic and I am doing my very best everyday to fight through it. With all that being said, I wasn’t in a mood to write tips or tricks with anxiety or other mental health disorders. I just didn’t have it in me and guess what? That is OKAY. I am human.
So instead, I figured I would make a list of some of my favorite songs that help me when I am having different feelings and moods. Music for me has always been such a comfort in my life. I usually turn to music when I feel like I can’t turn to anything else. So, I am going to share some of my favorite songs and why they make it on this list! Let’s get rocking!
So for those of you who know me personally, you will know that Demi Lovato has always been my biggest role model since about 6th grade. When I was at one of my lowest points in life, in seventh grade, Demi was in treatment in Chicago for her eating disorders and Bi Polar. Her music on her Unbroken album was like a soundtrack to my pain. More specifically, Skyscraper. I even have a tattoo that just says “Skyscraper”. That song gives me so much hope. The song is all about how even at rock bottom, you can still rise. I also live in Chicago so looking at the skyscrapers downtown gave me hope, just like they did for Demi. I recommend listening to this song when you feel like you need inspiration to keep fighting.
Another song that I love is called “Head Above Water” by Avril Lavigne. This song is very very deep and personal. It is about feeling like your drowning and just begging to be saved. It has a very strong religious undertone that I personally connected with so much. This song is a bit sad and sometimes is my “sad song”. Do you guys ever have that one song you listen to when you’re sad because you are already sad and just say fuck it, let’s make ourselves more sad? Or am I just a weirdo? I highly recommend that song though, so good.
The next song that I like a lot is a song that brings me comfort. I personally loved the way music sounded in the fifties. I love the kind of Doo-Wop music vibes. To me, the music sounded romantic and super calming. When I need a song to calm down, I go to the song “Tattooed Heart” by Ariana Grande. This song is happy, upbeat but calm, and gives me those fifties vibes that I love. This is one of those songs that just gives me “feel good vibes”.
One song that always puts me in a motivational mood is by the Queen herself, Beyonce. I absolutely love the song, “I Was Here.” It is SUCH a powerful song. It is all about leaving your mark on the world. Whenever I am feeling uninspired or lazy, I listen to this song. The song reminds me of what I want out of my life and what kind of legacy I hope to leave one day. This song is a great soundtrack for working hard on something you love, working out, etc. LOVE IT!
Everyone needs a good angry song. I think we all have a couple songs that we throw our anger into. For me, I LOVE the song “Blown Away” by Carrie Underwood. This song is so lyrically powerful to me. The music video also paints such a good picture of what is going on in the song. The song is all about a broken household and family and it all gets carried away in a storm. The music is super aggressive and angry sounding which is just another reason I love it so much.
Now for pump up songs, I can literally rattle off hundreds of songs. But when I just need a pick me up song, these are my top favorites: “Too Good” by Rihanna and Drake, “Shake it Out” by Florence and the Machines, “Rock Bottom” by Hailee Steinfeld, “Try” by Pink, and “Pillowtalk” by Zayn. Now don’t judge me just on these, there are literally so many. But for me, these are definitely some of my top choices.
As far as music that always makes me dance, give me anything Rihanna, Nicki, Cardi B, Black Eyed Peas, and One Direction. When you need a song to make you feel yourself, I love “Love Myself” by Hailee Steinfeld, “Tell Me You Love Me” by Demi, “IDGAF” by Dua Lipa, “Child’s Play” by Drake, “Bed” Ari and Nicki (and really any Ari song if we’re being honest!), AND “No One” by Alicia Keys.
When I was making the list of all these songs, I was kind of laughing at myself since so many of these were from 2016 and earlier. It is crazy though how I tie so many songs to different times in my life. They say your senses remember things right? Well I totally believe that. Music and Smells can make me feel so nostalgic. I think that connecting these songs with something going on in my life at the time helped me to just feel comforted. Now when I listen to them back, it brings up memories, trauma, or just success that I have had. It is just such a reminder of how far I have come and that is why I totally love music and the place that these songs always take up in my brain!
Sorry for a shorter blog post today, but I wanted to keep it more lighthearted and fun instead of always so serious. This blog is also a good distraction for me so sometimes it just doesn’t have to be that heavy! Stay Strong y’all and take care of yourself and your environment. Don’t let things out of your control disturb your personal peace! <3
Talk to you soon brain battlers, Gracie <3
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The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.