For as long as I can remember, I have been an extremely anxious person, especially when it comes to school. Telling me something is going to be okay or work out is not enough verification for me. Music is usually where I find my solace. As the day I leave for school grows closer, I am determined for this year to be different. For all my fellow anxiety-stricken friends out there, here is a list of ten songs that speak to me the most when I need to recenter myself.
1. "Luck" by American Authors.
No matter how awful the situation seems, remember ultimately that you are capable of doing anything you set your mind to. Clear out all the negative thoughts that are telling you that you cannot do something or try something new. You have the power to choose happiness, because "you are your own man, you make your own luck".
2. "I Lived" by OneRepublic.
Live your life bravely. It may be scary at first, but trying new things and putting yourself out there will put an end to the open-ended questions and the what ifs, leaving you with no regrets.
3. "March to the Sea" by twenty one pilots.
It is an incredible thing to be yourself. There is only one you, now and forever. Don't do something you don't like just because you think it's the cool thing to do or you see a lot of your friends doing it. There is always another option, another choice, another path to follow. Be the one who stands up and says you are going to try something different.
4. "Work This Body" by WALK THE MOON.
The dreams you have are not going to happen by sitting around and doing nothing. Work hard for what you want, and it will amaze you how many doors open when you do so. Little by little the dream will become reality as you push yourself to keep going.
5. "How Far We've Come" by Matchbox Twenty.
Perspective is important. You might have one terrible day, a bad exam score, whatever it might be, but this setback is only temporary. Tomorrow is always a new day, and you cannot let yourself worry about things that have happened in the past when your future is filled with so many possibilities and adventures.
6. "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw.
Ultimately, it does not matter how smart you are or how much money you make. Being a good person is infinitely more important than either of those things. Enough said.
7. "Knee Deep" by the Zac Brown Band.
Sometimes, all you need is to kick back and do something that makes you happy, whatever that is. Dance, sing, laugh, hang out with friends, do something that puts a smile on your face! You will feel so much better and be ready to tackle the task at hand.
8. "Hit It" by American Authors.
There is no symbolic reasoning for this song. When I listen to this song, I just feel good. I want to get up and dance, and it never fails to put a smile on my face. I guess the message would be don't take life's little moments for granted. Stop to smile, to dance, to live in the moment.
9. "Superheroes" by The Script.
Life can suck sometimes, we all know that. However, it's the choices you make when you are down or bad things happen that will ultimately shape who you are as a person. Be the person who pushes through the anxiety and the stress.
10. "Sugar, We're Goin Down" by Fall Out Boy.
Don't quit, even if you know you are probably going to fail. Push through and know that you were a strong enough person to finish what you started. You owe that to yourself to keep the promises you make.
Wherever you are headed this fall, know that you are a strong, wonderful person who can do it, whatever that "it" might be for you. Trust me, I've been there: agonizing about a situation or something that hasn't even happened yet will not fix it. It usually makes it worst. Just be you, and you will do amazing.
