The first time I realized life had a soundtrack, I was ten years old and sitting on the terrazzo floor of my grandfather's kitchen in Athens. My yia-yia was frying loukoumades, and the radio—an ancient contraption that looked like it could pick up messages from Zeus himself—crackled to life. The voice of Marinella wove through the room like honey, her melancholy ballads making the air feel heavier, sweeter. Even then, I understood that music wasn’t just background noise; it was storytelling at its most intimate. It could transport you, translate emotions you couldn’t yet articulate, or, in my case, make you cry into your fried dough.

Since then, my life's soundtrack has been a series of eclectic chapters, each marked by songs as distinct and unforgettable as the moments they accompany. From the romantic nights of Santorini to the chaotic bustle of London, here's the playlist that defines my life—and maybe, just maybe, yours too.

Track One: “Zorba’s Dance” – Sirtaki for the Soul

Ah, the iconic bouzouki rhythm that starts slow but erupts into frenzied joy. Growing up in a sprawling Greek family, this song wasn’t just music—it was an atmosphere. Whenever Zorba’s Dance played, usually after a hefty family meal, my uncles would launch into improvised versions of traditional dances. Plates shattered on the floor, my cousins giggled uncontrollably, and even the most stoic relatives couldn’t resist clapping along.

In hindsight, “Zorba’s Dance” is the ultimate metaphor for relationships. They often start cautiously, the tempo so deliberate you aren't sure if you're in sync. But get comfortable, trust each other’s rhythm, and, sure enough, you’ll find yourself twirling through life with wild abandon. Of course, sometimes you step on each other’s toes—or accidentally knock over someone's wine glass in the process—but isn’t that the whole point?

Takeaway: Whether in dance or romance, start slow, stay present, and don’t be afraid to break a plate or two when things get intense.

Track Two: “You Can Call Me Al” – The Journey Song

Fast forward to my mid-twenties, freshly relocated to London for my MBA. If ever there was a song to capture the confusion of navigating life in a new city, it’s this Paul Simon gem. Everything from the chaotic bassline to the nonsensical lyrics felt oddly relatable. Were my classmates really smarter than me, or just better at faking confidence? Was the British love for dry humor something I could learn, or would subtitled comedies remain my only cultural bridge? And most importantly, why hadn’t anyone warned me that making friends over pints meant enduring football talk for hours on end?

“You Can Call Me Al” taught me that the best journeys don’t always make sense. You might feel out of sync with your surroundings, but eventually, you carve out harmony. The highs weren’t immediate, but when they came—a late-night kebab with new friends, solving a marketing case study, or gliding through Hyde Park on an autumn afternoon—they were profound.

Takeaway: When life (or a budding relationship) feels chaotic, trust the instrumentals to catch up with the melody. Transition phases are messy but also magical.

Track Three: “Freed From Desire” – Anthem of the Greek Islands

This Eurodance classic is burned into my brain from the summers I spent running a boutique hotel on Crete. Imagine a packed courtyard under the stars, travelers from all corners of the globe, and this pulsating beat cascading through the warm Mediterranean air. Italians belting the chorus? Check. Austrians attempting to dance with ouzo-filled glasses? Check. Me, convincing myself I could charm someone with my “professional host” charisma? Double check.

If "Freed From Desire" taught me anything, it's that attraction thrives in shared experiences. Dancing with strangers doesn’t need to mean anything monumental, and flirting over calamari might fizzle out as soon as the plates are cleared. But in those shared, euphoric moments—when the music hits just right and you're laughing with someone who understands what it means to live in the now—there's magic.

Takeaway: Love (or at least a good flirt) often arrives unexpectedly, amid sweaty dancing and poorly translated conversations. Say yes to the moment.

Track Four: “Someone Like You” – The Breakup Ballad

We all have that one song that soundtracked a breakup, right? Sometimes it’s Taylor Swift, sometimes it’s Adele. For me, it was sitting on the edge of a Santorini cliff, listening to Adele as the sun set. I know, it’s almost painfully on-brand; blame the wine I was sipping and my ex’s uncanny timing.

Breakups are tricky. At first, you nurse your wounds with ballads that turn you into the star of your own heartbreak movie. But then, somewhere along the second chorus, things shift. "Someone Like You" became less about pining for the past and more about acknowledging the beauty in having felt something so deeply.

Takeaway: Healing, like Adele’s discography, doesn’t rush. Allow yourself the halftime show of melodrama, but remember—you’re always playing for a comeback.

Track Five: “Dancing Queen” – Liberating Joy in Disco Form

One night during a particularly stressful winter back in Athens—when work, deadlines, and singlehood felt heavier than Cerberus himself—I put on ABBA's "Dancing Queen" as a joke. Within moments, I was twirling around my living room, dishes forgotten in the sink, deadlines cast aside.

This was a reminder to take both life and love a little less seriously. So, you sent a risky text and got left on read? Put on a glittery playlist and dance it out—the embarrassment will fade before the beat drops.

Takeaway: Never underestimate the transformative power of cranked-up disco and a solo dance party.

Crafting Your Own Soundtrack

Music is personal, but it’s also universal. Your soundtrack might include slow-burning jazz tracks, punchy alt-rock anthems, or a guilty-pleasure boy band deep cut. Whatever resonates, lean into it unapologetically.

  • Play upbeat anthems while getting ready for a date to pump up your confidence.
  • Use nostalgic love songs to remind yourself of moments when connection felt easy.
  • Pick a power ballad for the moments when you need a reminder that heartbreak doesn’t define you—and yes, scream-sing along if necessary.

Think of your playlist as a mirror. It reflects who you are, where you've been, and where you're headed. Trust me: when you hear the right tracks playing in sync with your life, you’ll feel it in your bones—and maybe even in your heart.

No matter where you go or whom you meet, life will throw curveballs. Some moments will feel like Sirtaki dances—messy and ridiculously fun—while others might leave you sobbing into Adele’s high notes. Either way, embrace it. The soundtrack is still being written, and the needle’s never far from playing your next favorite song.