Time Traveling Through Your Playlist by Linda Lauren

I had a beauty day recently, and my first stop was the hair salon for a splash of fresh color. I usually do this on my day off and I elect the entire day to attend to personal grooming, necessities and errands. The owner of the salon usually has on a favorite station and it happens to be one that I like, too. So the experience of sitting and waiting in the chair while he works becomes an experience in memory recall.

I love music. It stirs emotion and speaks directly to the spirit in ways that range from subtle to empowering. It is a colorful array of sound created through inspiration that we draw upon in our everyday life. Music can bring us down or pick us up. It can remember scenes of the past while creating new ones for the future. Often, we move toward music to embrace awareness and healing.

Sitting in the salon chair listening to music from my teenage years brought forth a flood of emotion and nostalgia that ultimately made me smile. I asked myself the question: what if I created a playlist for the specific purpose of drawing on memories I wanted to fondly recall? Would it be beneficial to my body, mind and spirit? I decided to try it and I garnished surprising results. My mood improved and the time spent in the salon (which is usually over an hour) felt like it was the shortest ever. When I returned home I created my own playlist and I recommend that you give it a try. Here is a way to get started.

1.  Pick a time of your life that holds the fondest memories.
2.  Research the songs from that decade and choose the ones that speak happiest to you.
3.  Create a playlist and loop it to play throughout the day in the order you feel fits how you want to feel.
4.  Journal or log what surfaces for you.

Granted, you may come away with some sad feelings, but the happy ones will be the strongest, so make sure to keep your focus on the positive. Try it for a few days and see how you feel afterward.

Enjoy, and happy time traveling through your playlist!

Originally published on July 9, 2015 on Medium.com