We all have our artistic outlets — our ways to destress and take a break from reality — and we almost ALL listen to music (if you do not, I honestly do not understand how you function). I personally love Spotify — not just because it is where I listen to music, but because making playlists is genuinely one of my favorite pastimes. Playlists are our generation’s mixtapes: one for every mood.
We probably all have the essential playlists: one for summer, one for your favorite genre, one for each school year or season, but when it comes to playlists for me, it goes beyond the basics. I like to make mine based on emotions, storylines, specific moments, different car rides, etc. Because I depend on music as an outlet for stress, pain, and even joy, it is important for me to have playlists that can go along with the slightest variances of moods.
This may sound really over the top to anyone who has never tried it, but the next time you are bored, I challenge you to try it yourself. Here are my tips to master the art of curating playlists:
START WITH A CONCEPT
This might sound cheesy or obvious, but a lot of the time, I get ideas from books that I am reading, a vivid experience I have had, or what I need right now (music-wise) to get through certain times in my life (yes, this includes my One Direction playlist because we all need one). Once you have an idea, run with it — find all the songs that could possibly work with it.
FUN IDEAS
If you are stuck on tip number one, here are some examples: Because I love writing, it is really fun to make a playlist based on a storyline I create. Different car ride moods, beach trips, songs that remind you of specific times in your life, songs that have the same concept, songs that correspond to different moods or feelings, songs for different colors, the list goes on!
FIND A PLAYLIST COVER
This step is one of my favorites because it combines two of my favorite apps: Spotify and Pinterest. To have a good playlist, the visuals are important as well. Once I have collected a good amount of songs, I search for a photo that, in my opinion, captures the mood of the playlist. *Bonus points if it goes with the rest of the playlist covers on your account.* This step just makes the process that much more creative and personal!
MAKE A DESCRIPTION IF YOU FEEL FANCY
I realize I say this for all of the steps, but this is a favorite: putting into words what the playlist represents or when it should be played. I like this step because it is fun to look back at why you made a playlist and helps you keep adding to it — plus, it makes the process more fun. Again, this probably seems over the top, but I promise you from personal experience and my friends’ thoughts that it’s genuinely So. Much. Fun.
And that, my friends, is what I call the art of Spotify. The next time you arere bored or sad or want a break from schoolwork, give it a try — I promise you will not regret it. Also, if you are the type of person who loves playlists but hates making them, you know who would just love to make playlist curating a full-time job? *Hint: it’s me.
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Photo Credits: Pinterest
