Thinking Out Loud

 

I think I have finally grown up. Or at least matured in my thought processes.

Normally, if someone tells me a story or current life issue, I quickly liken their experience to an episode of Beverly Hills 90210.

However, in the last week, I find myself comparing my friend’s experiences to Sex and the City instead.

Major progress.

I do struggle with references sometimes because of the advances in technology. I wonder what Carrie and the gang would have done differently with smart phones. Would Berger have chosen to break up via text instead of post-it note?

Do you often take your own experiences and reference television shows? Do certain stories, sights, smells and songs correlate and trigger your own memories?

Whenever I see or smell Eggo Blueberry Waffles, I will forever picture my son in his high chair at 5:00 am on a dark fall morning putting the tiny pieces of broken up waffle in his mouth while holding a spoon in his other hand trying to eat applesauce.

So often while I am running, a song will play and I am instantly back in another moment in my life.

I have been really stubborn this week by the way, running more days in a row than I should. I just can’t help it. It’s warm out, the sun is shining and I have new sneakers on my feet.

I kept yesterday’s pace nice and slow, focusing more on the songs playing in my ears and less on what I was actually doing.

You know those runs where you forget you are running, right?

I made a little list of the songs that are either on my playlist or randomly pop on from Pandora along with what I immediately think of when I hear them:

How Will I Know – Whitney Houston:

I hear this song and feel as though I am eight years old, third grade, dancing around with my cousins.

If you were to listen to the words now, Whitney was too shy to call the guy on the phone. Once again, advances in technology have changed things making those embarrassing calls easier by giving us the text option.

All Summer Long – Kid Rock:

…Singin sweet home Alabama allll summer long….. I can’t help but pick up my pace when this song comes on because I instantly remember that feeling of crossing the finish line last year when I placed second in my age group and this song play as I waited around for my trophy.

Titanium – David Guetta:

Back in January, you may remember I played this song on repeat while I busted out super fast miles on the treadmill.

Every time I hear Titanium now I think about how this song once brought up so much anger in me and now that anger is gone.

The words empowered me to release a crazy about of mental tension which reiterates the meaning behind running being cheaper than therapy.

Damaged – Danity Kane:

Remember Danity Kane?

When this song pops on my Pandora station, all I can think about is the start of my divorce.

That phrase at the end, where Diddy (would you mind if I still call him Puff Daddy, I prefer it) chimes on in with,

“Sometimes we have to go through the pain, to experience the joy…”

I remember hanging on to that phrase like a lifeline.

Sometimes it’s really hard to listen to a song that brings up painful memories.

However, I like hearing this song now to remind me of where I once was and how far I have come.

Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore:

Love this song. I always run faster when I hear it because it always reminds me of running the Long Island Half Marathon last spring.

Ironically, setting my playlist to shuffle before the start of each race since last year’s half always seems to give me this song first.

And one more song we need to talk about just because I have plenty to say about it:

Selfie – The Chainsmokers:

I don’t want to admit that the beat of this song is great for running since the rest of the song is just…no. Just no.

However, hearing it while I run makes me think of my grandmother’s friend who recently got herself an iPhone and attempts to take selfies but thinks she can’t take a correct selfie because she is too short.

And, my grandmother can’t remember what the term is so instead of saying selfie, she calls it woofie.

The mother in me would prefer that this song was more rap style so that children couldn’t understand the lyrics.

As cool as I am, I have major issue with songs that are clearly targeted towards tweens and teens yet sing all too clearly about going to smoke a cigarette.

I have enough trouble listening to music with sex references around my son but at least sex is inevitable one day.  Like when he is thirty, has a career and doesn’t live at home.

Cigarettes on the other hand are not inevitable and just not okay. I have never had one and sure as heck hope my son doesn’t touch one either and if he ever does, I will question if this Selfie song was the cause.

Songs like Selfie must be the reason that small town in the movie Footloose banned music and dancing. Makes sense to me now.

Be sure to check out what everyone else is thinking about today!

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What songs trigger instant memories for you?

Do you turn off songs that bring up sad memories or force yourself to listen to them?

Does your life ever mimic a television show or movie?