I struggle answering the question, “What kind of music do you like?” because to me, music is an entire dimension. It is the expression and marriage of organized sound, emotion and vocalized thought. Somehow, an acceptable response to the question is naming a few groups and stating a favorite genre that is probably compiled of a myriad of disparate, dissimilar sounds. But then again, we as humans have a disposition to oversimplify, categorize and put things in arbitrary boxes. Truly though, I say that because I don’t have a good answer to the question.

Not to oversimplify, but my relationship with music could be somewhat understood by comparing it to my relationship with coffee: I don’t see myself ever not needing more of it, it is difficult to describe the difference between its variations, and it stimulates a part of me that only it can. Why then, would I want to give myself boundaries in consuming music?

Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” As a society we are overstimulated, and cannot tolerate being accompanied by only our thoughts. Recognizing that constant stimulation prohibits me from connecting the dots in my life, my relationship with music needs boundaries. I need to discipline myself to spend time with only my thoughts. I need to allow for reflection, things to sink in, and time to decide what my response to current events in my life is going to be. This is how I make sense of life, and how I make sure I’m living the life I want to live. One way I can structure this is by not walking or running with earbuds.

I’m a senior at the University of Cincinnati, and every time I walk to class in the morning, every time I go to visit a friend within walking distance, every time I go on a run, I am forced to confront nothing other than my own unadulterated, present, unorganized thoughts and feelings. Walking to class without music isn’t typically riveting excitement, but it allows my mind to breathe.

By giving myself space to breathe, by including healthy rhythms in my life, I am able to handle life as it unfolds. I am able to learn from and grow by asking myself why I am stressed, why I am down, why I am overwhelmed, why that was such an exciting event, or even simply what I learned from the event. Additional ways I do this are journaling, driving in silence, or leaving town for a road trip. Andrew Carnegie would do this by going to his home in Europe, leaving the continent entirely. He believed that he couldn’t have an accurate view of his life while he was caught up in it, so he would physically leave for extended periods of time. I believe that the fact he did that says something, and I want to effectively deal with our over-stimulated, never unplugged, one thing onto the next lifestyle. Music is an enriching companion who needs a healthy perimeter. While occupying an over-stimulated, never disconnected life, I can only reflect and process by having intentional boundaries.