Big statement: It is impossible to be unhappy while listening to Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root.
I’m very susceptible to music. It messes with my mood in all the best and worst ways. So at some point, I realised I could use it to my advantage. I’ve now got a Spotify playlist for nearly every emotion. Happy songs for when I want to be cheerful. Sad songs for when I want to wallow under a duvet. Fast-paced, shouty rock for when I need pumping up — that one’s called Battle Songs.
It turns out, using music like this is a solid way to motivate myself.
And, luckily, I clocked this faster than my previous method: After Eight Mint Chocolates. They still feature, to be fair. But music is better for my teeth.
Having a quick 5-minute motivation in your back pocket is worth it. Something you can reach for when your brain’s dragging its feet or your energy’s circling the drain.
Think about what works for you. What flips the switch? What breaks the pattern?
Here are a few of mine:
- A song that makes me feel like the main character. (Send Me On My Way is top-tier for this.)
- Ticking something trival off my to-do list (I have knitting on there)
- Standing up and physically shaking myself off and stretching out
- Speed-cleaning a work surface while pretending I’m on a game show (Or setting a timer to see how much I can do in 10 minutes)
- Opening the front door for a minute, even if I don’t go outside. Just to reset the room with some fresh air.
It’s not about productivity hacks or becoming a superhero. Sometimes you just need something that nudges you into motion. Five minutes can’t solve everything, but it can shift your day in the right direction.
