In this newsletter, I want to focus on the importance of seeking simple pleasures in the ordinary. The past couple of years have left us all with lower serotonin levels, and there’s one thing in particular that has helped me boost my mood any time, any day: 2000’s music.
I know this sounds silly, and I assure you I’m not making any scientific claims about chemical balances. However, there is something overwhelmingly powerful about nostalgia- particularly sounds and smells that trigger our brains to a certain time. Connecting our senses to familiarity can make us feel more safe, relaxed and happy than anything else.
Lately, I’ve found that listening to soundtracks from shows like the O.C and One Tree Hill gives me a rush of happiness that’s almost too good to describe. The same phenomenon can be experienced while listening to the best old Britney tracks, Blink 182, and Green Day. A lot of people who fall under the later years of the Gen Z category didn’t grow up with these bands, but there’s something so uniquely upbeat about this era of music- and no one can deny it.
Something that’s come to popularity in recent years is creating ‘main character’ moments. Main character energy is just another way to describe that feeling you get when you’re walking down Park Ave wearing a cute outfit with headphones in, like you can conquer the world. I think that creating moments like these is more important than we realize- it’s just another way of making an effort to ‘romanticize’ your life. Romanticizing your life means living like the main character in your own story, and the soundtrack needs to give you the best possible vibes.
It takes a lot of motivation to start the semester right, to avoid getting burnt out, and to manage anxiety in a time where the world seems filled with uncertainty. It’s stressful to think about, but that’s all the more reason to put the big-picture thoughts aside for just a moment and dance in your room like you’re Rory Gilmore. Clear your mind for a minute- you deserve it. Listen to some punk rock and pretend the iPhone hasn’t been invented. Wear sparkles. Time travel. Set the mood. Be the main character. And most importantly, romanticize everything- most importantly, your playlist.