How Listening To A New Playlist Can Help You Move On

Last year was one of the most challenging and growth-inspiring times of my life. Pre-corona, I had just gone through a break-up, and during corona, not only did I lose my biggest client, but my father passed away suddenly. It felt like my whole year was spent grieving and singing my heart out to every sad song known to mankind.

I listened to Mary J. Blidge, Aerosmith, Jhene Aiko, Jessie Reyez, Selena, Halsey, Ed Sheeran and so many more. Listening to music like this helped with my pain, sadness, and grief. I experienced the true comfort of this reliever and just how cozy I became with singing the blues.

The Same Old Blues

It is therapeutic to listen to the same old songs because they bring up feelings that we’re comfortable dealing with. A 2015 study actually found that depressed people enjoyed listening to sad music over happy music. In other words, they use emotion-regulation strategies like this, in a direction that is likely to maintain or increase their level of sadness.

The comfort can feel good. Knowing that these are feelings we’re comfortable experiencing, helps to regulate our emotions. Music therapy is an age-old discipline that is used to accomplish individualized goals. Listening to sad music was actually found to be soothing and a replacement for loss.

So, yes even sad music can help you but it can also bring up feelings of profound loss. I share this suggestion with you to listen to something different if you’re looking to move on and shift your thinking patterns.

New Playlist New Feels

Every time I listen to the same playlist I experience the same feelings again and again. So, this year I started listening to music I’ve never heard before. Including international music, in which I don’t even understand all the lyrics. Switching the tempo, genre and artist can help to unravel from the same old feelings and find something new.

I encourage you to test it out if you’re going through a break-up, loss, or something devastating like depression. Change the station and switch the flow. Find music that is soothing or invigorating. Open your music selection to change the vibes in your life.

The power of words is extremely potent. This is why when you’re mad and you listen to aggressive music you become angrier. Be mindful of the lyrics you replay and the emotions they bring about. If you’re looking to be happier, listen to something that makes you happy. If you’re looking to move on, maybe it’s time to change your playlist.

---

People call me CJ or Carlita Jones, writer, artist, and wellness guide. I have been writing for about 5 years professionally. I like learning new concepts that help with the self-realization journey. Connect with me on Twitter and Instagram.

My blog, The Ying and The Yang is about duality. Being able to look at both sides of the coin objectively to find the middle ground or just to chat about it. Follow me on medium!

Comment below and tell me if this resonates with you. Share if you feel like others can benefit!