As someone who has suffered from depression and anxiety, I truly believe in and rely on the healing properties of music. Sometimes the words we need to hear are coming out of the mouth of our favorite artists. There have been days where these particular songs were my anthem. This is my mixtape for you, the reader, on your toughest of days.
1. "Details in the Fabric"- Jason Mraz
"Hold your own. Know your name. Go your own way."
This song describes the necessity of being able to pick yourself up off the ground and keep going. Sometimes you have to go it alone, and that's okay.
2. "The Only Thing"- Sufjan Stevens
"Should I tear my eyes out now? Everything I see returns to you somehow."
Sufjan Stevens is very open about having dealt with depression, himself. This song is largely about his reliance in God and spirituality to help him overcome heavy issues like death of a loved one and suicidal thoughts.
3. "A Better Son/Daughter"- Rilo Kiley
"You'll be awake, you'll be alert, you'll be positive though it hurts, and you'll laugh and embrace all your friends."
If any song could really be described as an anthem, it would be this one. This is a song for someone who refuses to crumble even after having been through hell and back.
4. "Learn to Live With What You Are"- Ben Folds
"All you need is the thing you've forgotten and that's to learn to live with what you are."
In this song, Ben Folds is singing to a person he loves who is struggling. The song raises the point that most helpful thing you can do for yourself is learn to be okay with who you are instead of trying to change everything about yourself.
5. "Giving Up"- Ingrid Michaelson
"What if we stop having a ball? What if the paint chips from the wall?"
This song is a collection of worries that many people have had in a relationship. There's still an air of hopefulness along the lines of even if bad things happen to us, we'll still be here for each other.
6."Firewood"- Regina Spektor
"Everyone knows you're going to love, though there's still no cure for crying."
The message of this beautiful song? You're going to be sad and hurt sometimes, but life is still worth living.
7. "This Year"- The Mountain Goats
"I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me."
This is an upbeat tune to blast in your car as you peel out of the driveway. I can't think of anything more encouraging than this song willing you to get through what feels like the worst year of your life.
8. "Tragic Mirror"- Sondre Lerche
"Somehow you've got to smarten up and act like nothing's ever gonna break you."
This song is about being your own worst enemy and being able to overcome that. Any perfectionist could relate to this.
9. "First Day of My Life"- Bright Eyes
"This is the first day of my life. I'm glad I didn't die before I met you."
This song could be considered a love song, but it could also be considered encouragement to keep going and not feel burdened by the past. It's about being present in the moment and appreciating what's in front of you.
10. "No One Is Alone"- Stephen Sondheim (from Into the Woods)
"Sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood. Others may deceive you. You decide whats good."
Even if you've never seen Into the Woods, you can probably still relate to what this song is trying to say. Don't let people define what's good and bad in life. Trust yourself. Most importantly, you are not alone even if you think you are.
