Resetting My Ears: Why I Quit Listening to Music
I. Introduction
Music used to be a constant in my daily life. I got Spotify several years ago, and used it ever since. I used many features of it, such as Blends, the recommendations, following friends, etc. I heard music whenever I could. One year, I got about 40k Spotify minutes (courtesy of Spotify Wrapped). That is high for me.
II. The Dullness of Repetition
However, my music was getting really repetitive. Sure, one develops a music taste, but mine became quite rigid. I kept opening the same playlists day after day. The only way I was exposed to new music was through friends or hearing something at a store, which is not very often. Spotify has recommendations, but they were all echoing my taste, leading to even more of a narrow taste in music. Music became dull because I heard too much of it.
III. Spotify and the Mobile Experience
Spotify was also waning on me. A while ago, I switched to Demus, which is essentially a YouTube Music wrapper that has built in adblock - so ad-free music listening. I could listen to any song whenever I wanted, could shuffle or not shuffle, make playlists, etc. A kind of freedom Spotify Mobile does not allow on the Free plan. But Demus was slightly worse than Spotify - it has very little personalized recommendations. This led me again to hear the same songs over and over. Now, I have quit music to reset it.
IV. Music in My Head = Mental Clutter
Constantly hearing the same songs has an effect on my brain. I would hear music in my brain even when not listening to music. Comparing now to before, I have less playing in my brain. I have more room to think. There's a Twitter meme where one's brain is like a messy browser - 5 open tabs and one is playing music. Closing that music tab helped me greatly with clarity.
V. Intentional Listening Moving Forward
If I get back to music, I will appreciate it more. I will listen less often, and hence more mindfully. With this break, music will likely become special again, and not just audible filler.
VI. Conclusion
I didn't quit music because I dislike it - I quit to reset it. Having a clear and silent brain is very nice. I recommend you try taking a break from music too. You might find it refreshing too.
Thank you for reading! Have an awesome day :D