Coming of Anxiety

The author remembers her days glued to the headset as if her life depended on it. She obviously wasn't the only one. Throughout middle school and the beginning of high school was a wicked rollercoaster that was not something that could be easy to get off of. Here, we talk about the feelings of mixed rage and loneliness; the realization that life doesn't get any easier. The missing of nap times from whence we were little and the happiness of blissful ignorance that comes between the ages of newborn and twelve. The headset and music players used should be a right of passage every teenager gets to isolate themselves and their world from encroaching baddies (siblings, parents, conforming adults, etc.). This is my personal playlist that ultimately molded me and had helped get through A LOT:

Ready Aim Fire by Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons are still one of the coolest bands to ever debut back in 2012. From Radioactive to Natural, the band has become popular for many ages because of the lyrics created that speaks to the common man. Plus, if your mom likes it, surely you can like it too. My mother has officially placed going to one of their concerts on her bucket list (especially after the world recovers from the pandemic). This song was rarely heard from unless everyone had the chance to see Iron Man III, and was officially placed in its the album "When Heroes Fall". The album itself is spectacular with throwbacks featuring other various artists.

Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey

Remember the remix of Summertime Sadness? Rumor had it when I went to high school that the original song was too super slow to be played on the radio. The artist's whole album "Born to Die" was one of the best in my opinion. Young and Beautiful was featured in the Great Gatsby, most likely taking the point of view of Daisy.

Yellow Flicker Beat by Lorde

Lorde was also a big deal and an inspiration for a lot of 16-yearolds. With her debut of Royals I remember homecomings and dances just full of other teens dancing with plastic crowns. The Hunger Games was also extremely popular and girls would where their hair like Katniss Everdeen (and for some reason the name Candis was also confused with the name of the heroine? Was I mumbling?).

Raised by Wolves by U2

My stepfather was a big influencer in some of my music selections. Admittedly, 80s music is the best to find Rock and Classic Rock music to enjoy such as Queen, the Cranberries, Journey, etc. Songs of Innocence album by U2 seems to highlight the innocence that is eventually lost as a person grows up. Invisible (RED) Edit Version was also a great song to sing to oneself by U2.

Untraveled Road by Thousand Foot Krutch

Hard rock is awesome to get pumped with as well as being in crowds that enjoy the same music as you do. This was one of the first songs from this band that I've ever heard from which eventually got me hooked. It had a Lincoln Park feel to it (which is a plus) as well as four minutes of enjoyment (enough time to get from one class to another).

Solo by The Story So Far

My senior year of high school was a whirlwind much like this rock song. When you graduate, or drive your car to work, or have a bad breakup- it's all on you to handle the emotions alone.

It Has Begun by STARSET

For some reason, this hard rock reminded me of being on a journey throughout an abandoned solar system. Where you grit your teeth and bear a burden to accomplish a major mission and overcome your greatest fears. To look towards the stars and endure the coming of a calamity, birthing a legend that eventually becomes who you'll ultimately be.... which is pretty deep (whoa).

While many teenagers go through the course of finding oneself and to suffer from a little anxiety every now and then, there is no harm or blame to wanting to escape. Through music (whether it be a lot of rock, or classics) there is a small world that we create that is not destroyed (and in fact, built upon). Everyone has their own tastes of teen angst music that can be extremely enjoyable (Panic! at the disco, My Chemical Romance, Mayday Parade and 5TreasureIsland were also my favorites). Whatever you like, play it and reminisce. After all, it was a time where you grew and listened through your most awkward hardships to be done with the days in which you've tried to figure out who you truly wanted to be.