Music is one of the best things that the world can offer. It provides comfort and a sense of belonging. From a young age, I loved to sing along to catchy tunes that played on the radio. Even though I could not carry a tune, music never failed to brighten my day. I loved participating in activities such as choir and band growing up because the beauty of music was inspiring and lifted my spirits.
My current music taste was morphed around the years filled with teen angst. In middle school, like many, I experienced my share of bullying. When I was younger, I was more open with my quirks and did not fit in with my small class of 20. Therefore, my peers retaliated by judging me for things I could not control.
To cope with the insults I received, I turned to music. After listening to the angsty anthems from my favorite bands, I did not feel like I was alone or singled out. This alleviated some of the stress and anguish I felt after knowing that others suffered from being ostracized as I did and were still able to continue on with their lives. Music gave me the motivation to pursue on, despite everything else telling me to quit and give up. I would listen to my favorite songs after school, every time I got home feeling worthless or "too weird to live." The songs I listened to helped me to believe that it was alright to be eccentric and not to care what other people thought.
Every time I hear a song that I associated with a certain time in my life or subconsciously reminds me of a situation, it reminds me of how important of a role music has played in my life. When I can hear the opening chords to a song and feel the same emotions I felt back when I first heard the song, it shows how we associate music with memories. It allows me to reminisce and hold onto moments of the past.
Not only that, but in society, we associate milestones with music. For example, we sing on someone's birthday, people who get married choose a wedding song, at funerals, and more.
I listen to music when I write because it inspires me, gives me ideas, and helps me tune out the world around me so I can focus. There's so much variety when it comes to music. There's always something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.
Music is more than an interest, hobby, or past time. It is a part of your life. It is there for you when life gets rough, helps pick you back up, and is always there when you are looking to jam out and dance at a party or club. Music is there for the ups and downs.
