Thank goodness February is short — I am so ready for spring! And thank goodness for my Sphere Lamp for simulating sunlight. But it’s the following four things that really lifted my spirits this past month:
“Mix Tapes”
I recently found myself in the car without my phone and didn’t want to deal with radio, so I went digging in the storage area next to my seat and found a forgotten treasure trove of mix CDs. I popped one of them in and the music transported me back almost 10 years. It was fabulous! Some Ratatat, The Bird and the Bee, Tegan and Sara…I’d forgotten how much I loved the songs on that mix. I dug around some more and unearthed a bunch of other mixes I made with silly names like “A Basketful of Music,” “Music Juice,” and “Mix Tape.” Although I’m not going to burn actual CDs, I’m now inspired to make more “mix tapes.”
Switched on Pop
If you’ve ever wondered why some pop songs get completely stuck in your head, then you need to listen to Switched on Pop. It’s a podcast that breaks down pop songs and looks at all the components to explain why they’re such ear worms. The episode on Despacito (it aired August 10, 2017) is particularly elucidating. The hosts are a music producer and a musicologist, so they really know their stuff. Now I don’t have to feel bad about hitting replay over and over when certain pop songs come on. There’s a musical reason behind the compulsion to keep listening. It’s not my fault!
Deep Breaths
When I was meditating recently, I took a deep breath (as instructed by the lovely monk on the Headspace app) and was struck at how amazing it felt. It was a breath akin to a drink of water for someone wandering in a desert. This got me thinking about breathing in general. How cool is it that I am alive and breathing?!? Each time I take a deep replenishing breath, I feel so lucky to be a part of this crazy world.
The Mortified Guide
I’ve listened to the Mortified podcast for years, but have only been able to make it to one show. They’re always on weeknights in the city and that just isn’t doable for me. So, I love that it’s new a docu-series on Netflix, which means I can watch the show from the comfort of my living room. Watching adults read from their super cringey teenage diaries is great no matter the location!
What’s been making you happy recently?