Whenever I’m going out for a drive, the question of what to listen to largely depends on my mood. One option is music. The other is talk radio or a podcast. And then the last is not to listen to anything at all.
If I’m in a meditative state, I won’t listen to anything so that I can mull over my thoughts. If I’m wrestling with a dilemma in my mind that is weighing on me, I’ll think about it until I find a solution. It can be anything from a story that I’m trying to work out or an idea, topic, or question I want to understand.
When I’m listening to music in the car, my mind is in a completely different state. I’m not reflecting at all, but moreover, enjoying the music and immersing myself in the lyrics and rhythm of the song. In some cases, it helps me to visualize the scenes in my own stories, as well as figure out the plot as I’m imagining it like a storyboard.
I listen to talk radio or a podcast when I want to hear what’s going on in the world or to educate myself on a topic. When I’m not in the mood for music or if I don’t have anything to think about during the silence, I’ll let the speaker engage my mind.
This brings me back to beginning where I mentioned that the decision for music, talk radio, or silence, was contingent upon my mood. It’s one of those things where there is no one right answer, but a choice that reflects my state of mind.
Fallton Havenstonne 