“I’m sliding, powerless as I descend. Back into my old ways again” - My Old Ways by Tame Impala.
Each of my playlists is a time capsule, and for me they spill out nostalgia. The sounds evolved as I left high school and entered college. Now, the sound of my adulthood is working a nine to five as I slowly lose my creative consciousness. In 2026 I have decided to be intentional with a theme for my playlists. That intentionality will hopefully rescue me from my literal loss of words as an author. Even writing this now, with the ideas flowing to me, I try not to get my hopes up.
The theme I have chosen is only truly apparent to me. It is a flashback to my former music taste. Each of my playlists this year will feature songs that have already been heard on soundtracks of my past. Not exclusively of course, my taste is always changing and there is plenty of my old music taste I don’t really care for anymore.
January is already a time for self reflection so why not dig a little deeper and listen to the past? Looking into oneself is supposed to help quench the thirst for creativity by inspiring you to be and do better.
This last year, I opened a chapter up in my life that has had quite the plot outline. Highs and lows have sent my head spinning. I quit my job and started a new one in February, and I am coming up on a year at my new job. Because of that I think I am officially nearing the end of an adjustment chapter. I am turning 25 this year so I guess my brain will stop developing and I’ll officially be entering adulthood.
Every year around this time I begin to shed my skin and start anew. If I think about it, I am officially in my 25 year old body! Much like everyone else I set my goals for the upcoming year. It’s bittersweet, looking back on the incomplete goals from last year, while also looking on hopeful for the coming months. Not only does this time have a mental toll but also a physical one. The month of January is cold and in the shadow of the holiday season. Where I live, we’ll finally be getting our winter weather, freezing our toes and fingers. Listening to this playlist, I think the sound of the artists’ emotions have carried those feelings.
“I’m a tragedy Tryna figure my whole life out” - Loser by Tame Impala.
“Loser” by Tame Impala is the perfect example to pull from the 50 in the playlist. It’s upbeat but sets up for reflection on the failures of the past year. (Romantic or not).
It feels like yesterday, that I read 7 books within the first three months of 2025. It was a win-lose for me. I read 6 books in 2024 so progress is progress. After April, I found myself unable to finish another book for the rest of the year. Disappointing, but comparison and expectations killed my motivation. I have friends and family who read 30 or more books in a year. My goal for 2025 was 12 books, and I got through a fair 9. I don't really discredit myself but I acknowledge maybe I set my expectations too high. For the upcoming year I’ll set a goal of 6. Something I know I can reach and maybe even surpass. I may feel a little bit like a loser if I compare myself to someone who reads 30 or more books a year. It’s also important to acknowledge that a lot of people don't read any books at all. I’ll read my 6 or more and encourage you to read too!
“I’m still the kid with the flaws I fought for” - I’m Better (I’m Bad) by Moses Sumney.
Yes, I am in fact cherry picking lines out of songs to fit my narrative! Every song that ends up on my playlists usually starts with a “Oh that sounds like it belongs in April”. There’s something about each of the songs that just makes me feel like they belong in the collective sound for the month. For January, the shadow of December is exactly the sound that I look for. A coldness, that looks for hope in a new year.
Similarly to “Loser”, “I’m Better (I’m Bad)” makes me reflect on myself. I do, in fact, feel like a better person than I was a year ago. I’ve changed and grown so much I almost don't recognize the former me. Deep down, however, I am still the same person (good or bad).
I’ll always love being a part of fandom culture, now my “favs” being Rhett and Link, and several kpop groups. But, if I look back to 2017 I would have been watching Kian and Jc, and Thatcherjoe on youtube. Before that, Troye Sivan and Joey Graceffa. Always changing, but I still have that obsessive personality. My physical collections are changing and growing too: buying books, mugs, albums both vinyl and cd, and of course trinkets!
I am not immune to the Labubu craze!!! Listen- I love a blind box and a cute keychain! Wait! Don’t go! They’re cute because they’re ugly! I swear!!!
“Am I just a bird? Am I just a crow? Looking for something shiny for my nest?” - Trinkets by Ashnikko.
There are 2 Labubu’s in my trinket collection. I do have a preference for Skullpanda figures and keychains though! I couldn’t even tell you how many little collectables I have in my room. The mini figures dot my shelves in a rainbow of colors! I’ve organized my kpop albums in color coded order and my tiny collection of things fit in each setting. If you have the same love for collecting shiny things to decorate your nest with- do listen to “Trinkets” by Ashnikko!
The whole January 2026 playlist can be found here.
This particular month’s blog post is me sort of discovering how I’d like to delve into the soundtrack. Hopefully I piqued your interest, or at least was able to relate to some readers. Even if you don't care for the personal stories, I hope you like the music. I find that usually with 50 songs I am able to find a few favorites that end up on repeat, and some songs that inevitably become skips. My predicted on repeat list for January is:
“Eusexua” by FKA Twigs
“Lonely is the Muse” by Halsey
“Gift Horse” by IDLES
“Sorrow” by Alejandro Aranda
Happy New Year! What are some of your goals for 2026? Let me know if any songs end up on your repeats too!
