A Playlist is Worth a Thousand Words

I find it crazy how much value one single playlist can carry. A playlist can hold so many memories, so many seasons of life. All the highs and all the lows.

Sometimes it makes me sad when I listen to certain playlists I have created over the years. Especially recently as I have undergone so many changes in the past few months. Heartbreak will really change your perspective on music and so will moving away from your friends that you used to listen to those songs with and vibe. Starting about a year ago I began what I called a master playlist, a playlist of all of my favorite songs ever, whether they were sad or happy and any genre I loved. Ever since I moved to California though, I have not been able to bring myself to listen to that playlist. It makes me too sad listening to all the songs that remind me of my life in Texas. It makes me realize that that season of my life is over. The season of my life where my friends and I would ride around our small town in a jeep listening to Mo Bamba or Ms. Jackson. Or when the girls and I would scream the lyrics of Let Me Love You at the top of our lungs. Or when I'd go on midnight drives alone listening to Lil Peep or Juice WRLD. One of the hardest parts of listening to that playlist was the songs that reminded me of heartbreak. Turns out half my playlist did just that. Like listening to Fall Thru or Gym Class. I couldn't do it. A playlist can make you look back and realize that some of the relationships you had will never be the same again and maybe you will never be the same person again as when you lived in the moment of the songs. Maybe you'll never feel as carefree again as when you were seventeen years old listening to Electric Love with the wind flying through your hair. Or maybe you'll never love anyone the same way, so recklessly. Or maybe you'll never feel so sad again as when you cried to Lil Peep. As an athlete, my music could transport me back to the bus rides before tournaments as well. I'll never forget the feeling of nerves electrifying my body and the adrenaline rushing. Every time I hear Murder On My Mind it brings me back to those early mornings. And listening to Mercy reminds me of the long afternoon practices.

Music is honestly magic, it is like a form of time travel. It will take you to a past season in your life or reminds you of old friends. I have finally been able to move on from the sadness and listen to my playlist again. I can finally appreciate all the relationships it reminds me of and reminisce fondly on the memories made. I also began a new playlist here in California and have started to make new memories. Like listening to Tunnel Vision whilst having a near death experience speeding down the 101 or the twisty roads leading to Malibu. Someday this season in my life will be over as well. But that's okay because I'll always have music to take me back and give me a glimpse into the memories I made.