I've recently realized that the music we listen to influences us in ways we tend to underestimate.

This can actually be said about all kinds of arts and all kinds of content. 

If we consume sad music, sad paintings, sad photography, sad movies, documentaries, etc., we will feel sad. But if we consume artistic content that promotes positive vibes, we'll then feel better, more optimistic and resilient.

While cathartic, listening to sad music or consuming content promoting sadness, pain, bitterness, anger, or focusing on the worst humanity has to offer will - in the long run - make us eventually feel worse than we did before exposing ourselves to this kind of content.

It isn't about ignoring the sadness or hard feelings that we all feel at some point, nor is it about judging the quality of the content. It's about willingly shutting the door to these feelings and leaving room for hope and happiness. Gently saying to these particular feelings: "I know you are here but I choose today not to let you speak fear into me and so I choose to be happy".

Often, more than we think, artists and content creators tend to talk their own fears and insecurities into us, not out of an intent to hurt us, but because they share what they feel and seek reassurance before the public's eyes.

I myself express raw, heavy or painful emotions in my music, but awareness and empathy drive me to always convey some sort of hope - so the person who may relate doesn't come out of the listening drained, but empowered. Unfortunately, some artists don't have this kind of awareness or don't even care about it, which is why we have to look after our own well-being and select with care the feelings that artists (and other people in general) tend to push (willingly or not) into us.

Others may think we're stupid, weak, crazy or whatever... but we deserve to choose for ourselves whatever others may think or feel about it, and to live life in our own shoes. That's strength, that's resilience and the key to happiness. Let's not hide from our feelings. Happiness is a choice.

In order to convey this reflection in music, here's a personal playlist that I've purposefully designed to share positive and hopeful vibes, for music to lift you up, not to bring you down.

Whether you're going for a run, taking a shower or gently chilling in the garden, hit the random play button and enjoy!

SPOTIFY