I have a theory that what you listen to when you enter into a new stage of life has an affect on what’s to come- or at least an affect on your perception of it. We can use music to reset and cleanse, not only in small moments and doses, but in the biggest beginnings and with intentional intake.
Some people believe in New Year's resolutions, some people believe in the universe, others believe in routine and some in science. If you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume that you believe in music, our common connector.
We can unleash the power of music to its fullest and use it to reset for 2023, or any new beginnings that get presented to us. Here’s how:
Choose your 2023 energy albums.
Pick out a handful of albums with themes, grooves or energies you’d like to take with you into 2023. If you lose yourself in the chaos of the year, this is what you come back to. It’s like a mantra with a beat. Give the albums you choose a listen and absorb all the feels to sprinkle throughout your year.
Use music to meditate.
Combining music with meditation can deepen the positive effects of both, according to wellness coach and health educator Dr. Elizabeth Scott. Choose music that works for you, find a comfortable spot, and stay focused on the music. “If you find yourself thinking about other things (or even thinking thoughts about the music), gently redirect your attention to the present moment, the sound of the music, and the feelings in your body that the music evokes.”
Make a trade.
You love your friends, maybe you’ll love their music. Open yourself up to new experiences with new sounds. Start a collaborative playlist or make a trade! Put some thought into what you’re sharing. For some people, exchanging music is a very intimate gesture. When you share music, you pass off a piece of your energy with it, so make it a thoughtful exchange!
Update your workout playlist.
Don’t change your favorite workout, just change your playlist. Create a new experience running the same route just by switching up what you listen to. Scientific American says that music “elevates mood, increases endurance, reduces perceived effort and may even promote metabolic efficiency.” They also found that when listening to music, people run farther, bike longer and swim faster than usual—often without realizing it. So swap out that stale playlist and let’s get physical!
Create your own ritual to practice mindful listening.
Get witchy on ‘em! Rituals don’t need to be written in stone and performed for hundreds of years to be effective. You can create your own ritual to practice mindful listening throughout the year. First, create your environment. Put on some mood lighting, sage your room, or wrap yourself up in a blanket. It can be simple, but give it thought. Next, set an intention; the reason a ritual is performed. Then, be present. Don’t clean your room or scroll through your phone, just listen and feel. Lastly, reflect. You just spent some quality time with quality music.
Make music a part of any new beginning- spruce up your day to day or use it as a total reset. Whatever you do, listen with intention and the power of music will show itself.