There is one thing in this world that can comfort anyone in the world at any time. Feeling down in Canada? It’s got you. Feeling celebratory in Puerto Rico? It’ll help you. Boiling over with anger in Montana? This will either calm you down or amp you up more, whatever you are feeling. Of course this can only be one thing…music. Music gives your emotions a voice, it gives you entertainment during the most basic of tasks. Music is like a friend that will always be there for you.

Many of us listen to it seemingly endlessly. We have headphones on whenever we walk around campus, even sometimes during a class (oops). The headphones are on again when we study, or are just relaxing in our room. I even wear mine when I am struggling to fall asleep, or when I need some time to just sit and think.

Constantly people ask me why I always have headphones in. To them I always answer: “why not?” I listen to music for every situation. My music directly reflects my mood or thoughts. When I’m pulling an all-nighter for school, I have a set few songs I listen to on repeat for motivation. I have another playlist for provoking thought and contemplation. Sure, being plugged in makes it less likely to have those random social occurrences around campus, but honestly I like listening to music more than I like most people so that’s a sacrifice I’m happy to make.

Some people won’t understand how I like listening to music so much, especially when it’s mostly the same songs over and over. Yet, I don’t understand how someone could not like listening to music so much. It’s more than just enjoying the flow and the sound; it’s reflecting on the art and poetry of the lyrics. That’s not to say that all music should be listened to this way, but it’s what causes me to listen to the music that I do repetitively. I do it because there is so much that can be learned from the story being told. The stories tell of struggles that relate to your own, and how you, too, can overcome it. They describe emotional obstacles, and prescribe ways of thinking to overcome those. The music gives you lessons in life that you can choose to listen to and recognize. In this way, the music literally becomes a part of me, much like you take a part of your teachers and role models with you.

Is it possible to listen too much? Maybe, although I certainly don’t think so. After all, music has helped shape me to the person I am, and it will continue to shape me into the person I hope to be. That’s what we all have wanted since we were children: to be the best that we can be. So while others may say that I am being antisocial or that I’m “addicted to music”, it is easy to brush off. What they don’t know is that I am constantly learning and bettering myself because of it...and that I am perfectly fine with being addicted to learning.