The perfect combination
Among my two most enjoyable activities over the past few years, I can name writing and listening to music. The latter has been more present since I often end up listening to some albums whenever I head somewhere. But I am sure I am not the only one who does it. In fact, I used to judge people who are constantly on their phones in public transportation. I especially felt frustrated when they stopped paying any attention to their environment. For example, a senior standing next to them visually struggles to hold onto something during the machine's movement, yet a teenager seems not to be concerned at all. Yes, why care? Watching TikTok is even more "entertaining" when I sit...
Even though I often try to make the effort to balance my time with devices, my phone in particular, I partially became one of those people too (not that I am zoned out, I am used to being very much aware of my surroundings; but I tend to reply to people on Telegram now). Objectively, not every person who has such a habit can be judged. I mean someone would even add that one cannot judge others, only God can do so. My relationships with judgment are rather complicated these days. My relevant opinion is that people should be called out for their bullshit. I get that toxic/evil people were not born to be like that; their environment eventually makes them this way. But if someone makes things so much complicated for strangers, they must not get away with it.
Generally, I do not consider myself an open-minded person. I try really hard to become one but I am far from the goal. However, when it comes to music genres, it is safe to say I have a lot of experience with many things. Metalcore, indie, pop, punk, and instrumental mixes are those I usually listen to. But if a song sounds good, I don't mind adding it to my playlist regardless of what genre it is. I know most people, who I have the chance to meet in real life, cannot appreciate my favorite genre — metalcore. To them, it sounds disturbing and strange. To me though, it has so much depth and I can connect with the raw emotions metalcore pieces usually express.
Speaking of the second activity I enjoy big time — writing — it is just a very personal outlet for my emotions. Sometimes, I wish I did not write (more specifically feel as much as I do) but I cannot run away from myself. If there are things that bother me, it is better to take a step forward to face them via, in my case, the written word than ignore or bottle up. I would say if I don't write every day for a long time, I have enough interesting thoughts to bring up, and hence no extra inspiration is needed. But once in a while, I might be out of ideas too. Well, maybe not "out of ideas" but rather struggling to write down my first few words on the topic. That's the moment when music comes in and usually fixes it — familiar songs are playing in the background, while I am channeling my inner thoughts into actual physical writing.
However, putting on some nice tunes does not serve just that one purpose. I genuinely find music very soothing, which potentially helps me not to get too emotional if I write on a heavier subject. So, not only do good songs manage to put me into the right "writing" mood, but they are also an anchor that helps my ship of emotions not to drag me to the bottom of a deep ocean. Music and writing are truly a match made in heaven for me.