I've Been On A Long Journey

Not quite literally, but my current playlist has been the same for weeks!

Here's why.

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A collection of Californian, travel inducing, habit changing, and just good listens have controlled the "Songs From My Bedroom Floor" playlist since February 3rd, 2019. If you've paid any attention to my blogs, you've noticed I traveled cross country recently, so why not create a playlist that was basically the motivation, soundtrack, and emotional dumpster of the experience as a whole?

So, let's see...how does the music line up?

The first track "drive all night" by joan was the first added. Although the journey was through various transportation methods, driving was not one of them. This song, however was perfect for starring out the large train and bus windows.

*Insert music video scene playing in my head.*

A song about getting up and escaping an everyday life could only be followed up by The Lumineers, "Sleep On The Floor".

As much as I've wanted to get up and go so many times in life, and more so lately, the moment I heard this song a few years ago, I knew it was a perfect traveling song. Both songs point out the loneliness of my trip though. So, since for me these songs were not to be taken literally, I quickly discovered the "you" often representing a lover, or someone going along the ride, for me, was talking to myself.

I personally have to remember that taking care of myself is a larger conversation and task. So, the "you" or "dear" the artists persuaded to travel with, was me, myself, and I. Which made these two songs even more meaningful during my travels.

Next to note, is the many songs titled "California", since that was my destination. I haven't heard or particularly looked up songs about San Francisco (which was my ending train stop), but California in general seems to be a common topic for artists. My three "California" titled songs are by three different artists, YUNGBLUD, Claire Ridgely, and Jackson Penn. Plus "Rodeo" by Kyle and "La La Land feat. YG" by Bryce Vine thrown into the Californian themed club. Each expressing the thrill, necessity, and/or the idealism in traveling to California. These in particular helped fuel my end destination.

Although long, it was definitely worth the trip.

Speaking of, there couldn't be a travel playlist without a Jhene Aiko song or two. The album "Trip" was a whole mood! The first song on the playlist "Ascension featuring Brandy" details asking questions and finding answers for "yourself". The second song "Trip" has been a constant for me when things are tough or uncertain. I go on a mental trip quite often, so this one had to be included on my literal trip.

Plus, they're also more "stare out the window while the world passes you by" kind of songs.

(Which is how I spent 70% of this trip btw).

The final song, I just had to have on this playlist, is "Thoughts from a Balcony" by Mac Miller. The song is a catalyst for what was going through my head quite a bit before the decision to hop on a train for three days was finalized. As the track repeated, "What the fuck is time?" I questioned why and what I was waiting on. So, while I filled out job application after job application, edited travel vlogs, and wallowed in self pity, I couldn't help but think, "If not now, then when?" Or as Mac put it, "What the fuck is time?"

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I could go on and on about how each of the other songs effected my journey, but the playlist is constantly being added to lately, so I say just tune in for yourself.

Check out the full playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/user/cawhite519/playlist/2x5hBIZePQKn4uxCx5e9OM?si=9lA_4w8OSMG5-I9Q3qaasg

Week Three: Songs From My Bedroom Floor

I encourage this playlist whether it's a twenty minute ride or a twenty hour trip, regardless of destination. These songs mentioned and the other songs on the playlist represent the perfect soundtrack to a literal journey, or mental one. About losing and finding parts of yourself in whatever manner works best for you.

They will be the "Songs From My Bedroom Floor" for a while longer as I am still figuring out how and when this current journey will end.

I hope you stay along for the journey as well. Maybe we can all figure it out together.

As always,

Chelsea