On the way to work, school or even just doing simple tasks like going downstairs and opening my mailbox, there’s a song playing in my ears.

Music is my escape.

Drowned in the chaotic sounds of traffic — the blaring and distracting sounds of horns and the loud screech of tires against the pavement — the distant chatter of conversations suddenly disappear within the sweet melodies of R&B.

I am grounded in a moment of peace.

Adults throughout the world listen to music for an average of 18 hours per week, with music being heard between 44% and 68% of the time during people’s waking hours, according to the National Library of Medicine.

A playlist filled with slow, rhythmic, nostalgic lyrics helps challenge my thoughts and validate the feelings I might suppress.

The upbeat and fast tempo of a rap playlist helps when I need a boost of energy, when I’m cleaning my room, giving myself advice or walking around the block.

I turn to music when I need a song that can mirror my feelings or the particular mood I’m in. No matter the emotion, music covers me like a familiar embrace, reflecting emotions that words often fail to do.

The environment around me determines the song to come next as the day progresses. Soft acoustic melodies help me concentrate as the gentle sounds guide me through assignments.

The right song can make any setting my own space where only music and my thoughts remain.

The stories sewn into music compel me. Simply listening beyond the lyrics, I find myself unraveling embedded experiences of the artist and songwriter(s).

The deep engagement with music enriches my creativity, inspiring me to not only express my thoughts, but also influences my identity, from the clothes and accessories I wear to how I present myself in my everyday life. It affects my walk and even my demeanor. Every song helps exude confidence in my posture based on the artist or genre.

Even in moments of complete silence, a familiar tap of a beat fights against my quiet thoughts. The internal sound carries countless songs, each connecting me back to a memory, an emotion, a feeling.

Music is more than a series of sounds. It’s the clear lens that I see the world in, but through my ears.

Helping me cope with the chaos of life — guiding me through moments that feel almost unclear — music is always there, providing that sense of clarity in a world of noise.

It’s a companion that shapes my experiences and builds the rhythm of my life.