Music was a big part of my life growing up.
Listening, playing, curating... music was just part of how I moved through the world. It still is, too. Now, as an adult, most of my days start with music.
Years ago, I discovered that what I listened to in the morning changed the type of day I thought I had. Like, whether or not I thought I was having a “good day” was directly influenced by the kind of music I listened to first thing in the morning.
I used to be on the leadership team at a brewery. My days always started with counting the money from the night before. I’d be the only person in the building, drinking coffee and listening to music in the back office going through spreadsheets, and reconciling payroll with cash tip-outs. They were long days and that was an objectively boring way to start them. But, thinking back on them now, I remember feeling like I was always in a good mood. When I think of that chapter, I think of listening to Jurassic 5, A Tribe Called Quest, and The Pharcyde in the mornings.
These days, I’ve been on a Dave Matthews kick (the live albums). The “Easy Lover” radio playlist is also great for getting ready in the morning. Shout out to Ted Lasso for that tip.
With all love to Noah Kahan, Gregory Alan Isakov, or Olivia Dean... listening to them in the morning doesn’t give me the pep I need.
Our Daily MAP Year Prompt
343/365
Do you think about what you listen to first thing in the morning?
onward.
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