There are many ways in which music has greatly impacted my life. I wholeheartedly believe that music has played a major role in shaping me into the person I am today. I truly do not know who or where I would be if I wasn’t so passionate about music. Throughout my entire life, music has always been there for me, through all the ups and downs. In this week’s blog, I would like to share some of the ways music has affected my life.
Brought Me Out of My Comfort Zone
While I would typically describe myself as an introverted and shy person who hates crowds, there are many instances in which I can be found in places where you wouldn’t expect to see this type of person. And more often than not, my reason for being in such spaces is rooted in music. For instance, even though I hate crowds, I can often be found at my favorite artists’ concerts, on the barricade in the front of the crowd.
In the past, I would’ve never considered going to a concert alone but I’ve done that countless times over the past few years. My love of music has pushed me into these situations and I’ve come to realize that I actually enjoy doing things alone, especially going to concerts. I am so glad that I am no longer a person who would miss out on an amazing show simply because I don’t have anyone to go with.
Helped Me To Make Friends
There are so many people in my life now that I probably would have never met if it hadn’t been for our shared love of music. Because of music, I now have friends across the country and even in different countries. Some of these people have become my closest friends who mean the world and more to me; they know who they are. (I cannot thank Zach Bryan enough for making the music that brought my friend group together.)
My love of music has also made it easier for me to make friends, especially at concerts or other music-related events. More often than not, music is a great conversation starter and a great way to start to get to know someone. I find that the music people listen to tells you more than you would think about who they are as a person. I also love using music as a conversation starter as it often helps me to discover new artists.
Some of the friends I have made because of music I haven’t even met yet. Over the past few years, I have made so many friends on Twitter who I’ve never met; I don’t even know what some of them look like. I hope that I can meet each and every one of them someday, hopefully, sooner rather than later.
Helped Me To Feel Less Alone
Throughout my life, music has always helped me to feel less alone. No matter what I am going through, I’ve always been able to find at least one song, if not many songs, that I feel perfectly encapsulates what I am going through or the emotions that I am feeling.
This has really helped me with my mental health struggles which can feel quite alienating at times. Music has helped me to realize that I am not the only one who feels a certain way and that others have gone through similar experiences, especially when it comes to mental health.
One reason why I am so drawn to artists like Morgan Wade, Noah Kahan, Nolan Taylor, and Wyatt Flores is that they all speak loud and clear about mental health rather than shying away from the subject. They recognize the importance of these conversations and bring the topic of mental health into not only their words but also their music.
Music has helped me in this way since I was a kid. Some songs that have helped me to feel less alone in recent years include ‘Darkness’ by Nolan Taylor, ‘’68 Fastback’ by Zach Bryan, and ‘Call Your Mom’ by Noah Kahan.
Gotten Me Through Hard Times & Made The Good Times Even Better
If you know me, you know I am always listening to music, no matter what I am doing. Going for a drive? Give me a second, I need to find the perfect playlist. Doing household chores? Gotta crank up my Sonos speakers first. Going to sleep? Let me put on my sleep playlist first. You get the point.
So it’s no surprise that music has been there for me throughout all the ups and downs of life. No matter what I am going through, there is a playlist (or multiple playlists) that accompanies my current season of life.
Music has been there for me throughout every loss, breakup, and every other painful experience. It helps me to feel the pain and accompanying emotions so that I can truly heal and come out of those experiences stronger than I was before.
Not only has music been there for me during the hard times, but it has also been there throughout the good times as well. During these times, music has helped the good times to feel even better and has made me grateful for the happy season of life that I am in.
Whether it’s scream-singing Zach Bryan’s ‘Revival’ with my closest friends or singing along to any Kid Rock song with my dad and brother, music makes the best of times even greater.
Taken Me To New Places
Throughout my life, I have traveled to many places solely for a concert or other music-related reasons. For instance, when I was in high school, we planned our summer family vacation around my tickets to see Twenty One Pilots in Columbus, Ohio. For any Twenty One Pilots fans wondering, yes, I was somehow lucky enough to get tickets to Tour De Columbus back in 2017.
In recent years, I’ve been to various cities I wouldn’t have otherwise traveled to including Copan, Oklahoma, Denver, Colorado, and Ashland, Kentucky. I’ve been on many solo road trips and solo flights solely for music endeavors and I have grown to love traveling alone. (Though, more often than not, I’m meeting up with my friends there). Music has truly helped me to see new places and experience things I wouldn’t have without it.
I cannot wait to see where my love of music takes me in the future. Who knows, maybe I’ll travel outside the country for the first time; I honestly might have to if I ever want to see Ben Howard live.
Motivated Me To Share My Writing With Others
Before starting this blog, I despised sharing my writing with anyone. For example, I always dreaded peer-review day for papers in high school and I rarely let my mom read any of my essays, even if I made a great grade on it. So, past me would have a hard time believing that I now have my own blog.
I will admit, I was incredibly nervous to start this blog and begin sharing my writing with anyone who wants to read it. I actually still get a touch of nerves every time I upload a post. Though, I think that’s a good thing; it means I still care about my work.
It isn’t just my passion for music that led me to start this blog though. I could not have gotten here without the support and motivation from my friends and family; especially the friends I have made through music. These people have encouraged me to keep writing in so many ways including (but not limited to) being loyal readers, providing me with great feedback, and helping to promote my blog on their own social media.
I cannot wait to see how music continues to shape and impact my life. I’m certain it will continue to lead me to new friends, new cities, new experiences, and, Lord willing, a new career. I do not anticipate my passion for music ever wavering, I can only imagine it continuing to grow stronger and stronger.
If you’re interested in discovering more about the artists discussed in this article you can check them out on Instagram: J.R. Carroll / Zach Bryan / Nolan Taylor / Morgan Wade / Wyatt Flores / Twenty One Pilots / Kid Rock / Ben Howard / Noah Kahan
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