To all my fellow Queen’s students, I’m going to make an assumption about you: you’re stressed. It’s relatively inevitable in week seven and eight to feel like you’re drowning in endless piles of schoolwork and responsibilities, with Christmas still seeming so far off. I understand; I’m with you. Perhaps it feels like you have no control or authority over your own life, like there’s a constant weight pushing down on your shoulders and so many people depending on you. Perhaps, as it so often happens for me, the entire day passes you by fleetingly without even a moment of self-reflection, introspection, or peace. I know you’re running frantically from your class, to your meeting, to the gym and then back to class – and that’s okay. However, it is also more than okay for you to stop and sit down on a park bench or in a coffee shop for no other reason than to quiet your mind, chill out and be present in the moment. We tend to feel like we have not one hour to spare in our busy weeks, but all I’m asking for is 37 minutes. That is the exact amount of time it will take you to listen to these 10 songs – only 37 minutes.
Life can be quite overwhelming and strenuous at times, but it is a whole lot lovelier when it’s underscored with good music. Music has the universal power to uplift, inspire, and calm us. Music always finds a way to spark a little fire in us, even when we feel like we’re at our wit’s end. After reading this, I hope you do yourself a well-deserved favour and just escape, listen, sway, smile, breathe, de-stress, and enjoy.
Here are ten songs to save your stressed soul:
Sound and Color by Alabama Shakes
Cool Blue by The Japanese House
Somewhere Good by Liv Dawson
East by Sleeping at Last
New Day by Asgeir
Oceans by Tigers in the Sky
She Lit a Fire by Lord Huron
Even the Darkness Has Arms by the Barr Brothers
Work Song by Hozier
Re.Up by Rationale
If this playlist does not connect or resonate with you, I encourage you to create your own or dive into another creative outlet. Your mental and emotional prosperity are just as important, if not more important, than your academic achievements. Get into your grind and work hard but also be sure to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself.
We’ve got this, guys. We’ll all be okay. Enjoy the sweet sounds.