6Sides

6Sides represents the boxes to which we are currently confined. Four walls, a floor and a ceiling. We’re all stuck in our respective cubes, some in complete solidarity. While the full concept I've come up with is broken into six different playlists in order to fully represent each side of the cube, for the purposes of this article I have made a selection of three songs per side, taking you on a journey through six different moods as you explore each level of your space.

This sudden confinement has been a surreal mental and emotional trek. We had no way to prepare for this, and thus no guide on how to process. We're all doing this blindly; together, yes, but so far apart. Some days I wake up feeling more lonely than I ever remember feeling in my life. Sometimes I find myself ready and eager to make the very best of the situation; happy to take on the new challenge. Some days bring an overwhelming helplessness. Each of 6 Sides embodies a mental state that this pandemic has boxed me into. In totality, it represents the multitude of emotions we're all experiencing, sometimes all on a daily basis.

I started the construction of this playlist as a distraction from a particularly bad day. It very quickly became therapeutic. As I worked on deconstructing all of the emotions into distinct musical themes, it felt like I was finally unscrambling the thoughts that have been wrapping themselves around one another for weeks. I was making sense of things I had never really felt before, at least not in depth. I was finally cutting myself some slack, and allowing every ounce of emotion on this incredibly daunting spectrum to be valid and okay.

I didn't realize how much compartmentalizing I had been doing, trying to stifle the bad and cling to the good. I was exhausted. Fitting these songs together was like finally having a discussion, albeit with myself, that put everything out into the open. The exposure brought on a feeling of relief, and the music wrapped me in an understanding hug.

I pictured each playlist as one side of a vinyl record, each time to flip signaled by a timely interlude. One side explores my FOMO I've had for the trips I had planned this Spring and Summer. Dashes of UK Grime make it hurt so good as I think of the flight I cancelled to London. While I first tried not to think about the boys trip we all forfeited, I found that running straight through the loss was very much like I'd ripped off the bandaid.

A transitional melodic snippet brought me to side number two: the dance-worthy portion of this ride. I don't care who you are or what you're going through--dancing always helps. Next we have the gritty, head-bobbing New York gangster rap. That face-distorting beat that can get you out of or bring you through any headspace imaginable. An appreciation of the arts.

Some days my brain feels like it's crawling. At first I felt frustrated with myself, but I learned to slow down. To have patience. To exhibit kindness. That's where the Rastafarian notes come in. The calming, island-y vibes that put the world on pause and allow me to take a breath.

The fourth side delves into a deeper headspace; a romanticization of raw emotion. Never underestimate the power of a good cry. It fosters a release of stress, sadness, anxiety, and frustration, and allows you to reset. To refresh your thoughts and feelings.

The sixth and final side insists that you simply get weird. Throw everything to the side for a moment, and allow the absolutely senseless to envelope you. Sometimes, logic doesn't exist. It is human nature to make sense of everything, because it is human nature to fear what we do not understand. Side 6 asks you to abandon that instinct, and enjoy this moment blindly. Accept this lack of control.

Listening to 6Sides on shuffle works just as well as listening in order. It is all up to you; consider all rules abandoned. Follow your heart. Trust yourself to get through this, in whatever ways required. Feel your emotions. Go easy on yourself. I hope 6Sides brings you even a sliver of the solace it's brought me. And if you can't relate to mine, I encourage you to make your own.