Life, in all its messy, wonderful unpredictability, has a soundtrack. My soundtrack isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a living, breathing time capsule filled with the highs, lows, and oh-no-they-didn’t moments of my existence. Some songs remind me of moments so specific I can practically smell the stale movie theater popcorn or feel the nerves of a first “so, are we a thing now?” conversation. Others exist purely as inspiration, guiding my creative process and helping me find clarity when my brain feels like a browser with 45 tabs open. So, pop in your headphones, because I’m about to walk you through the playlist that defines my life—and why you just might want to start curating your own.

Track 1: The Awakening (aka “Whatever My Parents Blared in the Minivan”)

Growing up in East Austin, my parents’ minivan was less a vehicle and more of a mobile sociology classroom. My dad favored protest songs like Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and anything by Joan Baez, punctuated by lectures on civil rights. My mom would counterbalance this energy with the nurturing tones of Joni Mitchell. Somewhere between the backseat squabbles with my sibling and the gentle whir of our car’s A/C, I learned two important things: one, that music was a form of storytelling; and two, that if my mom ever put on Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” someone in her life had crossed a line.

This era taught me that music carries the highs and lows of love. It’s the sweet spot between standing your ground and knowing when to let go. When I’m being too “nice,” I listen to Carly as a form of therapy—a sonic reminder to prioritize my needs, even when I've become the "chill girl" who lets things slide a little too often. (Spoiler: Don’t let things slide.)

Track 2: European Summer (aka “My Barcelona Semester & Those Questionable Life Choices”)

During my semester abroad in Barcelona, I fell in love. Not with a person (though there were a few close calls) but with the sensation of absolute freedom—and a little band called Kings of Convenience. Their soft harmonies accompanied my mornings sipping too-bitter espresso in El Raval and late-night dance parties that devolved into messy debates over the merits of churros versus croissants.

The song “Misread” from their album Riot on an Empty Street still feels like a warm, Mediterranean breeze whenever I play it. It became the soundtrack to a deep lesson: It’s okay to be messy. To form connections that don’t last forever but teach you about your wants, your limits, and—yes—the stamina it takes to salsa dance at 3 a.m. without regretting everything the next morning.

My takeaway? Life’s soundtrack isn’t limited to grandiose symphonies. Sometimes, the simplest melodies can leave the most lasting impressions—just like fleeting but meaningful relationships.

Track 3: Austin Nights (aka “Learning to Sit with the Chaos”)

Back home in Austin, my soundtrack took a sharp turn. The city’s rich indie music scene introduced me to ridiculous amounts of local talent, but one artist stuck: Shakey Graves. Particularly his song “Dearly Departed,” a haunting yet playful duet about love lost and ghosts (literal, metaphorical—who can say?). It’s the kind of tune that reminds me of late nights spent under string lights at backyard parties, unsure if the tequila shot I just took will lead to a grand epiphany or a text I’ll regret the next morning.

The thing about songs like this is they wrap their arms around your chaos. “Dearly Departed” became my go-to breakup anthem. No wallowing here—instead, I’d let the stomping beat and cheeky sarcasm help me shake off heartbreak, turning emotional wreckage into an excuse for a dance party. So, next time someone ghosts you (because modern dating can be cruel like that), I highly recommend staging your own mini-concert. Bonus points if it involves yelling into a fan for that DIY reverb effect.

Track 4: Creative Flow (aka “Music That Keeps Me at My Desk”)

Writing, much like dating, has its highs and lows. Some days the words pour out effortlessly; other days I spend 37 minutes deciding if the word “effervescent” is doing too much. Over the years, I’ve discovered that my creative output thrives on instrumental playlists. My favorite? Max Richter’s reimagining of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. It feels like classical music had a modern glow-up—timeless but fresh.

On days when I feel stuck, I play Richter’s compositions to remind myself that reinvention is always possible. For anyone in a creative rut—or overanalyzing whether a second date text should include an exclamation mark—try swapping your usual playlist for something unexpected. You might be surprised by the clarity it brings.

Track 5: Love in the Making (aka “Our Song”)

Every couple has that song—you know, the one you play at the wedding or at least in a quiet moment when you’re sitting in sweatpants on the couch, marveling at how you found your person. For me and my partner, that song is Iron & Wine’s “Such Great Heights.” It was the soundtrack to one of our early dates: a lazy Sunday brunch in Austin where mimosas were flowing and nothing felt forced.

“Such Great Heights” is all about closeness, with lyrics that feel like the type of vows you’d unintentionally blurt out while mid-pancake bite: honest, simple, and imperfect in the best way. It reminds me to hold onto joy, celebrate the little things, and never underestimate the way music can stitch together milestones, big and small.

Crafting Your Own Life Soundtrack

So, why does this matter? To me, music is more than background noise. It’s a personal GPS, guiding us through attraction, heartbreak, discovery, and the inexplicable joy of finding where we belong—whether that’s with someone else, or with ourselves. If you’re inspired to build your own soundtrack, here’s where to start:

  • Notice Patterns: Pay attention to the songs that always bring you back to yourself. These are your touchstones—the ones you cue up in car rides, shower karaoke sessions, or post-breakup pity parties.
  • Get Experimental: Life isn’t just one genre, and neither is your soundtrack. Let an upbeat funk playlist cheer you up or dive into moody ballads when you need to sulk. Every phase of life deserves a different sound.
  • Share It: There’s something magical about creating a playlist for someone you care about. Whether it’s a romantic gesture or something for your best friend, it’s a way of saying, “Here’s my heart, translated into MP3 format.”

Life, of course, isn’t always perfectly in tune. But your soundtrack can add rhythm to the chaos, turning even the most off-key moments into something unforgettable. And here’s the thing about music: It never stops playing. Whether it’s in the background of a whirlwind romance, a quiet Tuesday, or a tear-filled Friday night, your soundtrack keeps growing. So here’s the final piece of advice I’ll leave you with: Play it loud—and always, always press repeat when it feels right.