January is often an intense month for several reasons. It can mark the start of a new semester (check), a new job or internship (check) or a new daily routine (check). Many of us also wholeheartedly buy into the “new year, new me” trope and dig deep into ourselves to find something we need to improve. How often do we commit to changes that are actually practical and beneficial?
I’m a firm believer in a few things. One, we’re all meant to be perfectly imperfect. Two, we really don’t need a new calendar year to suddenly “be better”; every day is a new day and each could be our last, so that should be enough motivation to be as great as we can be always.
With that said, HELLO, or welcome back to my blog! If I know anything about myself, it’s that music is a big part of my life and I love sharing my finds (& faves 😉) with others. I loved sharing my monthly playlists last year and want to continue that this year, but I also want to change things up. So, instead of a monthly finds & faves playlist, I will be sharing a monthly themed playlist (featuring old & new tracks) plus some thoughts and ramblings on the theme and music selections. LET’S GET STARTED!
This first playlist is all about songs that will uplift and inspire you in 2019—it’s a new year, new you in all the right ways.
Instead of trying to follow a bunch of unrealistic resolutions again, try…
Being proud of your progress.
As Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon Urie sings on the opening track of this playlist, try saying, “Hey look ma, I made it!” The tongue-in-cheek nature of the song is so smart and the message is legitimate. Whether you’re a “starving artist” like Urie or have just simply been on your work grind for longer than you can remember, you should be able to look back at your journey with pride. Shout your accomplishments from the rooftops! It takes a lot to “make it” and you shouldn’t discount a second of what led to you achieving your goals.
This also applies to knowing your worth. Lauren Jauregui’s “More Than That” is a fun, flirty song about toying with guys at the club. But she won’t just accept any guy—nope, they’re going to have to work for her attention—and that’s the way it should be. Like I said in my 5 Lessons 2018 Taught Me post, NO DISCOUNTS is the only way to go!
Trusting the process.
One of the worst things you can do to yourself is compare your progress to someone else’s. No two individuals’ journeys are the same and everyone’s life plays out at its own pace. There’s no point in forcing something to happen if it’s not meant to—just trust that everything will work out the way that’s best for you.
On SG Lewis’ “Meant To Be,” the vocalist laments over a missed opportunity with a lover but comes to the conclusion that if things are meant to be, a new chance will present itself. The reality is a forced relationship is almost always doomed from the start, so you may as well invest your time in something that is an automatic fit.
And while the title would suggest it’s another post-relationship, self-empowerment song, Alessia Cara wrote “Trust My Lonely” as a way to depersonalize her negative emotions and write them off. In the song, she reminds herself to trust that she’s capable of so much and that she needs to believe in herself. I love it.
Loving and fighting for who and what truly matters.
Recorded for the upcoming movie Alita: Battle Angel, Dua Lipa’s “Swan Song” is about stepping up to fight against injustice in the world, just as Alita does in the movie. “Even in the hardest moments we must speak up,” Lipa tweeted. Specifically, the song references ACT UP, “a HIV and AIDS activist group from the 80s [whose] motto was ‘silence equals death’ with the hopes that in our everyday life we put into action this deeper meaning so that silence never become[s] us.” Being “woke” was cool in 2018, but in 2019, let’s put our opinions and words to work and help make actual change.
In addition to fighting to make a difference in the world, we have to show love to the people who fight for us. Ariana Grande’s latest anthemic single “7 rings” may put a little too much emphasis on material goods, but it hits the nail on the head with the idea that you should find ways to show your friends their value to you. The track was inspired by Grande purchasing engagement rings for six of her BFFs. If you’re not running on the same unlimited budget as Ms. Grande, handmade friendship bracelets would probably do the trick, as would a thoughtful card or face-to-face chat. Just show the people you appreciate that you appreciate them—that’s all there is to it!
Let me know what you’re listening to this month and what practical resolutions you have for 2019!
Happy listening xx
