Sacred Song: How Singing Helped Soothe My Mind (Even When I Sound Like a Goat in a Windstorm)

When I was institutionalized, they held karaoke nights. No microphones-probably because they could've been thrown, and let's be real...that was a legitimate concern. 😅

But the songs still came. Most were oldies. Familiar tunes with melodies that stirred memories long buried. And my fellow patients? Some of them sang with such raw beauty that I was stunned. I hadn't expected so much talent in a room filled with such pain.

At the time, I didn't understand the purpose of it. I just figured it was one more awkward attempt at group therapy, disguised in music. But deep down, I think those moments planted something in me. 

Fast forward-not to years later, but to what I now call my healing era. Because honestly, I've come so far in such a short time, it feels like a lifetime. And somewhere on this journey, I read something that completely stopped me in my tracks:

The vibrations from singing help regulate your nervous system.

Yep. Singing literally engages the vagus nerve-the master communicator between your body and brain. It slows your heart rate, deepens your breathing, and calms your inner chaos. It's like a built-in tuning for your soul.

I sing every day now. I'm not good at it. In fact, I'm terrible. But I do it anyway. I sing while folding laundry. I hum in the shower. I belt out 80s ballads in the car with tears in my eyes and my hand out the window like I'm starring in a low-budget music video.

It's not about the pitch or the performance. It's not about being heard. It's about being healed.

Because somehow, this one little act-this ancient, sacred sound we've always had within us-helps me come back to myself.

💫Reflection Prompt:

What's a song that's helped you survive something hard? Write it down. Journal what it reminds you of and how it made you feel. Then...maybe go sing it. Off-key. Full volume. With love.