I set up this blog primarily as a place to rant about work and life. However, I did always have the intention to occasionally post something more positive. So I figured that as one of my early posts I would try that (start as you mean to go on etc). I then had the idea of a bit of a theme for this and what better theme for a take on positivity than getting some Monday Motivation. After all, we all need something to give us a spring in our step at the start of the week!
So what’s motivating me this week? Well, it’s a hard one in this current climate and at this time of year. The country and world are apparently in a right old state. The NHS crisis, the cost of living and another day of Tory scumbaggery. We slave away all week and spend the weekends catching up on house work, paying bills, shopping and/or drowning our dreams in whatever ethanol-flavoured lubricant we deem necessary. But I thought I’d start somewhere quite simple. And that’s music.
I’m fond of a particular quirk of humans whereby no matter how remote a people are, no matter their culture, religion or geography, that humans everywhere have created some way to ease their lives with some form of drink, drugs or smoke. And I also think that’s true of music. From western pop culture, to West African tribal music, to Japanese Kabuki. And why is that? Well there are many reasons.
Music in my opinion is first and foremost something that connects people, whether that be at the local nightclub, the international festival or just a few friends jamming. It can bring communities toghether for social change but can also be just for fun. It is a creative outlet and a way to express oneself and finally it can improve your health and wellbeing. This last point is why music has made its way on to Monday Motivation.
Music for me is so important. Before I turned to accountancy there was a point in my life where I wanted to be a music producer. Music production is something I am coming back to as a hobby and I find it really allows me to shut off from everything else. Tough day at work? Make a banging trance acid sequence! I also enjoy going to the odd rave now and again (I’m in my late 30s so more on the ‘and again’ than the ‘now’ if I’m honest) with my wife.
But it also just features so prominently in everyday life. From background chillout or other easy listening whilst working, to podcasts or the radio in the car, to singing silly songs to make my daughter laugh. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without music to get me through the day.
I’m currently trying to produce more music to help with my mental health but finding the time can be problematic. As mentioned above, we’re all slaves to our jobs and we have other responsibilities as well. So finding the time to spend on our hobbies can be difficult. However, in those rare opportunities I find time, it is bliss.
I imagine most people reading this like music of some description, so I don’t think I need to try and persuade people too much. But perhaps what I would say is, make time for it. It really can enrich your life.
Post-pandemic a lot more people are working remotely, and therefore it’s easy to pop on some background music when not on the dreaded Zoom call. But even for those in the office, it has become a lot more acceptable for people to sit with headphones in (and for many this is actually preferable than having to hear other people on calls or trying to make small talk with their boss!). Not that we should be grateful to our corporate masters for allowing this behaviour – it has tended in most organisations to be simply an acceptance of how peope want to work now. With the recent advances in technology, whether that’s having a smart phone with thousands of songs saved, or streaming, music (and podcasts) has just become the norm.
Let me know in the comments how music helps you. Or do you disagree? What music recommendations have you got?
