Music doesn’t erase pain. It metabolises it. It takes the sharpest feelings and turns them into something you can dance to, cry to, scream-sing in the shower to. It reminds you that you’ve survived every version of yourself so far — and you sounded great doing it.

We turn to music not because it fixes us, but because it understands timing. It meets us in our cars, on solo walks, mid-workout, mid-breakdown, mid-becoming. It asks nothing except that we feel. Loudly. Honestly. Without apology.

And one day, without realising when it happened, the song that once broke you will come on in a café and you won’t flinch. You’ll smile. Maybe even tap your foot. Not because it didn’t matter — but because it no longer owns you. That’s healing. That’s music.

Below: six playlists for surviving being human. Apply as needed. Repeat excessively.