This guide to curate your own groovy playlist is the first in a series, Four Quick-And-Dirty Lists you can make to help you get out of a funk. You can find the second, third, and last one in the series here on the website.) Please be sure to subscribe to my email list to get more tips.
My friend just emailed me and said she was “dragging.” Isn’t that how we’re all feeling lately? While it’s understandable, it isn’t any fun.
I’m a huge fan of making lists. My coaching clients–talented and caring women–tend to be too. We find that the good ol’ brain dump–writing down everything and anything that pops up as fast as you can–is surprisingly very effective.
Moreover, an unexpected gem is likely to pop up when you put pen to paper.
Why curate your own groovy playlist
Music is a speedy mood lifter. It has been shown to help the emotional health of everyone young and old.
Since we each have our own music tastes, I recommend creating a personalized feel-good music playlist. Even though there are many curated lists already available on Apple Music or Spotify, honing your list can help keep your spirits high in the long term. The method I introduce here forces you to be on the lookout (or, to bend your ear and listen) for new music to add to your list.
A quick-and dirty way to start
If you haven’t listened to music in a while, you don’t need to dust off your old CDs, tapes or vinyl records, and hunt down a CD/cassette/record player. All you need is an internet browser. The following works on a smartphone, tablet, or computer:
- Head over to pandora.com
- Create a free account. (If you are on a smartphone or tablet, you may be directed to download the Pandora app.
- Create a “station” by adding a few songs (or artists) you love. (If you’re having trouble thinking of some, google “feel-good songs” or “music to dance to.” Pick a few songs you know you like from the long lists others have already picked out. Or, simply look up the soundtrack of your favorite feel-good movie.)
- Then, start listening to your station.
- As Pandora suggests music for you, give a “thumbs up” to songs you like or a “thumbs down” to ones you don’t.
- You can continue adding to your list or create another station. The more you interact with Pandora, the more it suggests music you will like.
- Whenever you hear a song you like, remember to add it to your station.
- Here are additional instructions for things like how to get play Pandora using a smart speaker.
While I don’t recommend doing this when you’re trying to concentrate on deep work. But, you can certainly play around while doing something shallow. I’ve honed my lists while cooking dinner. (Yes, I have several feel-good lists like this one, this one, and this one.)
So, get out of a funk now: Quick, curate your own groovy playlist, bob your head, dance, and let me know how it works out for you.
