We all like to wallow in our sadness from time to time. Constantly being happy is exhausting, and even a bout of despair can sometimes be welcomed. Having time to cry and vent is healthy, and I'm not saying this with a bias since I may seem to cry and vent all the time...there are real benefits! A common way to induce this wallowing is to listen to sad music. However, sometimes we need "pick me up" songs as opposed to "bring me down" songs. And I don't just mean loud, fast, jumpy songs like "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon (although that is a good one); I mean songs where the lyrics encourage you to dry your tears and start again. Sometimes we need reminders that things will get better, and we'll believe it as we're mindlessly repeating the lyrics to our favorite songs and an epiphany hits us. Here are 7 of my favorite songs to listen to when I'm trying to make that transition from sad to happy, including the lyrics that we should all remember when we feel upset or hopeless.
"Tragedy + Time" - Rise Against
A friend recommended this song to me and it has since become my favorite. I don't think there is anything more encouraging than the reminder that your scars, physical and emotional, will fade and that there will come a day when you remember how to smile.
"There will be a time to crack another smile, maybe not today or for awhile, but we're holding on to laugh again some day"
"So don't hold back, let it shape you like an ocean, even the deepest scars, in time, will fade"
"Despite the overwhelming odds tomorrow came"
"Invincible" - Muse
Again, probably one of the most encouraging songs I've ever heard. Matt Bellamy's voice may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love hearing him tell me I'm unique and invincible and strong.
"Follow through, make your dreams come true, don't give up the fight, you will be alright, cause there's no one like you in the universe"
"Your soul's unbreakable"
"Clean" - Taylor Swift
My queen Taylor Swift reminds us that our saving grace can occur at rock bottom, and that no matter how difficult each day into recovery is, it's so much better than where you started.
"Rain came pouring down when I was drowning, that's when I could finally breathe"
"I think I'm finally clean"
"Ten months sober, I won't give in, now that I'm clean I'm never gonna risk it"
"Go Do" - Jonsi
Though the Icelandic singer may be hard to understand at first listen, the lyrics are clear; let yourself have fun, don't take yourself too seriously, you'll learn along the way.
"Go sing too loud, make your voice break, sing it out"
"We should always know that we can do anything"
Nouveau Parfum - Csemar Boglarka Boggie
A Hungarian singing in French, Boggie's song about consumerism and self confidence, paired with the music video in which she is, step by step, transformed using a Photoshop like software program, does wonders for a young girl's mind...once it's translated from French to English.
"I'm not their product. As for beauty and preciousness, they can't change me."
"Survive" - Rise Against
Another Rise Against song because I couldn't make this list and not include it.
"We've all been sorry, we've all been hurt, but how we survive is what makes us who we are."
"All smiles and sunshine, a perfect world on a perfect day, everything always works out, I have never felt so great"
"Throne" - Bring Me the Horizon
Loud, fast, and angry, this song is a good transition from angry-sad into a frenzy of positivity and productivity. A good reminder that you can use what hurts you to make yourself stronger. Your past helps shape you, but it cannot define you forever.
"So you can throw me to the wolves, tomorrow I will come back, leader of the whole pack, beat me black and blue, every wound will shape me, every scar will build my throne"
"The sticks and the stones that you used to throw have built me an empire"
