I don’t blog much about my chronic illnesses, because I don’t want this to be a disability blog, particularly – just a blog by someone who happens to have a couple of health issues.
But one of the things I find that helps me when I’m feeling overwhelmed by my illnesses is music. I’m not exactly a big music person, but sometimes music can just touch you in a way nothing else can, can’t it? Stick on some Panasonic Bluetooth Headphones, and the world just kind of fades away.
So here are some of the songs I like to listen to when the world feels hard or cruel or unfair. I can’t guarantee they’ll work for you, but they work for me.
Mama – Jonas Blue
Don’t wanna wake up one day wishing that we’d done more
I wanna live fast and never look back, that’s what we here for
One of my biggest fears with my illnesses is that they will stop me from living life to the fullest. I play this song when I feel the strange craving to jump on a plane to New York with the barest minimum in my bag and to just disappear into the crowds. I don’t know why, but it helps.
Chandelier – Sia
I’m gonna fly like a bird through the night
Feel my tears as they dry
This song is one I would have adored, were I still the age when I went out, got smashed and danced all night long. Y’know what, I still adore it.
It’s Not Right For You – The Script
She said, “Is this the life you’ve been dreaming of
Spending half the day away from the things you love?
I hate wasting time, and in my opinion, doing something for most of your day that you hate is a waste of time.
Love My Life – Robbie Williams
I am not my mistakes
And God knows I’ve made a few
I first heard this song on a car journey with Tim. I don’t remember where we were going, but I remember this song pumped me up for getting there.
There’s Nothing Holding Me Back – Shawn Mendes
She really doesn’t like to wait
Not really into hesitation
I love these songs where guys are singing about women who are never afraid. It puts me in the mood to be one of those women.
Wake Me Up – Avicii
I wish that I could stay forever this young
Not afraid to close my eyes
I love Avicii, and most of his discography kind of belongs on this list. Wake Me Up was the original, and it reminds me of after I left uni, when I still didn’t know who I was, and the journey to discovering it.
Shut Up and Dance – Walk The Moon
Oh don’t you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me
I said you’re holding back
She said shut up and dance with me
An amazing song, and one of the first I danced with Tim to after we got together. It just makes me come alive.
If Today Was Your Last Day – Nickelback
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’ll never live it twice
Okay a lot of people have a problem with Nickelback. But this song encapsulates a lot about how I live my life. I don’t want to regret not doing something. Hashtag YOLO or whatevs.
From Now On – Hugh Jackman and The Greatest Showman Ensemble
Let this promise in me start
Like an anthem in my heart
Rather than the obvious choice (This Is Me), I think this is one of my favourite songs from the movie. It’s a promise to the world, to never give up.
What songs do you listen to when you need to feel powerful?
*This post is sponsored by Panasonic, but all opinions of rockin’ music are my own. Here’s my full disclaimer.