May 2021 Playlist
“APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS”
I've been jokingly referring to this playlist as 'musical paracetamol' as I've been putting it together but the more I listen to it the more I have realised that actually that's a pretty good description for it.
I must apologise for the lack of playlist in April and to those of you who subscribe to the newsletter for its absence. The simple explanation is that there were not enough hours in the day...
...the more complicated one was that after several months of pretty intense pressure and a huge workload I got a bit lost in the deadlines and demands of my 'proper job'. The result; a pretty persistant headache and a feeling of drifting away from myself.
So this month's playlist is my antidote to all that; I find a beautiful sense of calm in string music especially that of small ensembles with added piano. For me listening to it really is like taking a paracetamol in the sense that it helps to relax any tension.
'Drift' by Jane Antonia Cornish is a piece that really typifies what I'm trying to explain, listening to it is like being given the keys to a beautiful space where all the worries of the world melt away.
Jane Antonia Cornish's stunning music has become one of my go to listens in hectic moments over the past couple of months, hence the reason why I've included several of her pieces in this month's playlist.
I discovered something really quite interesting this month - that putting an eye mask on while listening to music and making the bedroom as dark and quiet as possible amplifies the calming effects markedly. My explanation (and I’m no expert) is that this is because it reduces the 'inputs' to one, in this instance just the music, thereby heightening the sensations and feelings that single input creates. Which if you're feeling even a little bit overwhelmed is one of the best things you can do to restore a bit of balance; reduce the amount of incoming information. (This is the eye mask I have, if you were wondering).
I think this might just be my favourite playlist so far, let me know in the comments below if you try the ‘eye mask trick’ and what you think. I’m intrigued to know whether you also experience a heightened sense of calm.
If you would prefer to listen to this playlist in the Spotify app, please hit the button below.
