Music Saved My Life

I think we have all heard at one point or another in our lives about the "power of music." This can be seen in the joy music brings to party goers or the more poignant moments such as a daughter dancing to a beautiful song with her father on her wedding day. I have heard about this power many times in my 32 years, but it never quite sunk in until I had reached my own personal breaking point.

I have a long history of issues with my mental health and well-being. I won't get into the details too heavily here, but I suffer from a generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and depressive episodes. I am also not a stranger to thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

There have been points in my past where these thought and feelings have overwhelmed me, especially after the loss of my mother to COPD last summer. My struggle with mental health has been a long one and I have tried numerous methods to help, such as therapy, medication, meditation, etc. My biggest hope and goal was to find some peace in the mess that my mind was on a daily basis.

These methods have all helped me at one point or another in my life. It is important to find the right combination of these things and it is different for every person. However, the one thing that has stopped me in my tracks when I have been ready to quit and throw in the towel was music. For me, the songs of one singer/songwriter Juliette Reilly have been the most helpful with my own struggles.

Juliette Reilly sings a wide range of music in many different genres but her most powerful and uplifting songs have made a major impact in my life. Two songs have been vital to helping me cope through my lowest points. The lyrics, “I am a survivor,” from her well known song “I Am,” have been a powerful reminder and have stopped me on multiple occasions from doing something I would regret. Another meaningful set of lyrics from her music is “Be your own hero,” from her hit Youtube song titled, “Hero.” These words battle back darker thoughts when I am at my most vulnerable.

These inspiring songs have carried me through many points of feeling like I need to just get through one more moment and then another until I feel hope that things can get better. I have learned put on her music in the background and just lay down safely on my own bed. I find myself just laying there quietly listening until the thoughts of self-harm or suicide slowly pass or until I drift off to sleep. Either way, I make it through the day safer than I would have without her music to calm me down.

Every battle that I win with the help of music makes me feel stronger and helps to build a strong sense of hope. That hope is extremely important for the next time I may have a panic attack or depressive episode. Music is not a cure for mental health issues by any means but I am deeply thankful to have this powerful tool to get through the most difficult times of my life.

I understand mental health is a complicated issue and music is obviously not the answer for every mental health sufferer. We all respond to things differently. However, for some, it can be the lifeline that carries them through until they are strong enough to continue the fight. I hope the music of Juliette Reilly can reach more ears, so this lifeline can be used by others as well.