Music as a way to connect with yourself

I connected a lot with music during my teenage years. Heartbreak, suffering etc. I could really connect a lot with myself and emotions while listening. A lot of brilliant artist bring their suffering through music, and you can recognize yourself.

During my 20s, music was more of a way to enhance positive feelings . Up beat. I´m now starting to reconnect again. I started to really listen to lyrics and sing along. I started crying and felt immense, beautiful, sorrow while listening to Metallica - Unforgiven the other day. A song about harsh childhood, Goodism, and not really being yourself. Knowing also that lead singer James Hetfield has suffered addiction and anger issues, empathy is great. A sample:

New blood joins this Earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules

With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on, he's known

Ooh, a vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take away

What I've felt, what I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be, never see
Won't see what might have been

What I've felt, what I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free, never me
So I dub thee unforgiven

They dedicate their lives
To running all of his
He tries to please them all
This bitter man he is

 

I love Metallica!

Music can definitely provide relief, a sense of personal understanding or connection, an escape, etc. All of which calm down the mind-body response and the sympathetic nervous system. It can be a very useful tool indeed!