Having a hard week? Feeling a little down? I am a firm believer that the right song can change your entire day. Get back on track with these five songs, hand-picked by yours truly to help you get restore your mojo and get you feeling like the boss that you are again.
1. “Roll Up Your Sleeves” by Meg Mac
This song is the first on my “Stop Feeling Crappy About Your Life and Just Do Something About It” playlist. Let Meg remind you that sometimes you’ve just got to grit your teeth and fight the hard fight and that “everything is gonna be all right” because she’s right… It is. Also, she’s Australian, so you get ~indie~ points for listening to someone who hasn’t really made it to the States yet (you’re welcome.)
2. “Something More Than Free” by Jason Isbell
Whenever I’m having a hard week, no matter the reason, I have a hard time reminding myself that things are going to get better and that I have things to be grateful for. This song reminds me to take stock of everything in my life that I have to be thankful for, including whatever hardship I’m facing, because I know in the long run it’s going to make me stronger. On another note, this whole album is incredible so listen to it RIGHT THIS SECOND (after you finish this article and listen to the other three songs of course, though…)
3. “Keep It Together” by Guster
Shoutout to Guster for getting me through every breakup, every fight with a friend, every long night of studying for a test I thought I was bound to fail, and every other sad moment I have ever had with this song. Listen to lead singer Ryan Miller croon that you can “keep it together” because “everything starts today” and BELIEVE IT because IT’S TRUE. Also, follow these guys on Twitter (@guster) because they’re a hoot and they’re bound to cheer you up a little.
4. “Things Happen” by Dawes
Dawes is the best band of all time and I will fight anyone who tries to tell me otherwise because you’re wrong and I am right and this isn’t up for discussion. This summer, the band released their fourth album, titled All Your Favorite Bands. This song, the lead single off the record, is the best reminder that sometimes, you’ve just gotta suck it up and move on because “things happen… that’s all they’ll ever do.” You are allowed to be upset, but take a minute and listen to the lyrics here: remind yourself that you’re doing your best and that sometimes life just sucks and you just have to move forward the best you can. On another note, if you need a pick me up, Google Griffin Goldsmith. He’s the drummer for Dawes and I may or may not be very in love with him (that beard! that hair! that drum face! **I’m melting**) He always puts me in a good mood.
5. “Bulletproof” by La Roux
Throwback to 2009 when this song was released and changed my life–I was an angsty 14 year old who was pretty sure the world had it out for me. This was my freakin’ anthem and I must pay my respects to it now for getting me through my awkward phase (which, let’s be real, ended like, yesterday, but whatever.) If you’ve “been there, done that, messed around,” take a listen to this jam and remind yourself that YOU ARE BULLETPROOF. You ain’t got time for whatever is trying to get you down! You’re better than that.
In conclusion: whatever is happening that is making you feel less than dope will pass. Maybe listening to these songs, or whatever makes you feel empowered, will make it pass faster. Maybe you need a peach/nectar snoball with condensed milk on it or some nachos and a sangria margarita from Rum House (always helps me…) Treat yourself. Do what you can and reach out to others if it isn’t enough. You got this.