Music has always been the one thing that I feel defines me as a person. As a little kid, all I ever wanted to do was sing and dance with the people I love. I remember always taking my mom’s iPod and listening to “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. You can ask her, it was my favorite song of all time. And as soon as I had my own phone, I was sitting in my room listening to anything from the Hamilton soundtrack to Foo Fighters.

As I got older, music became more of an escape for me. I was living through so many new experiences and emotions and that gave me the privilege of being able to relate and therefore deeply connect with the art that I was consuming. Sometimes, it was the only thing I felt I could fully depend on during tough times. This helped develop my passion for music, especially singing, and provided me with a healthy coping mechanism that I still rely on to this day.

From absorbing to creating music, it’s been an incredibly effective and freeing way for me to express my emotions and opinions. If I need to scream, I sing. If I need to hit something, I sing. If I’m feeling passionately about anything, I sing. Music is how I live and it’s why I no longer feel the need to bottle myself and my feelings up. And in recent years, singing is a hobby that I’ve been trying hard to prioritize. It’s awesome being able to hear my dedication in my voice and reflect on how much progress I’ve made.

I can say with full confidence that music has not only changed my life, but how I choose to live it as well. It’s given me an emotional outlet, a fun hobby, and a special way to connect with people. So, if you’ve been wanting to pick up a new hobby, let this be your sign. It may just change your life.