"All By Myself": Music & Self-isolation

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This SUCKS. Let's just start there. Yes, it is necessary. Yes, it is preventing many us and our loved ones from getting sick. Yes, it won't last forever. BUT EVEN SO it’s important for all of us to recognize that what is going on right now is, to degree for each of us, traumatic. To be suddenly stripped of the routines and structure of our everyday lives, with little reassurance as to when they will return is, in and of itself a trauma. Of course, this can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression or exacerbate existing emotional and mental health issues. The easiest way to combat trauma due to isolation is to seek its counterpoint which is connection! Music provides powerful connection between individuals whether they are physically together or not. As a board-certified music therapist, it has been astounding, in the past month to witness how people are using “music AS THERAPY.” It is important to differentiate this from music therapy which is defined as “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” Many people understand the therapeutic benefits of music that don’t necessarily need to be achieved within traditional music therapy with a professional. Some basic benefits include connection to others and important memories, improved mood, anxiety reduction, increased relaxation, grounding, increased energy…the list could go on and on but there is an overall improvement in the quality of life when music is used in an intentional way, as it is being used in this time of isolation. A term that is used in psychodynamic therapy is the use of a “transitional object” which can be described as “an object spontaneously chosen and used by a child to ease the anxiety of separation from the mother, until the child has established a mental representation of her, that provides a sense of security and comfort.” Now I’m going to go all “Freud” on you guys BUT I think this idea is a nice explanation of what may be happening right now. Many argue that a transitional object must be something physical BUT I disagree! I think that familiar music and familiar music artists can be used as a transitional object in times of distress, chaos, or trauma. Think of it as an anchor, a connection to what was, to the routine, to the structure, to the safety of what we knew just a few weeks ago. It feels normal, secure, and safe. Any sense of safety, in this time of the unknown is going to be very important to us. And furthermore, to experience that safety with others in any way only increases the therapeutic benefits of music as therapy in this CRAZY time.

As this chaotic time progresses, we are seeing more musicians, singers, DJ's, etc. streaming performances for fans on the internet. I think that it is extremely beneficial for both performers and fans to be able to connect over the internet in this time of self-isolation. One aspect that makes it especially helpful right now is the ability to actually connect via comments and connection in real time. To feel part of a larger group and be able to interact (on some level) when forced into physical isolation can do a lot to combat the decrease in “quality of life” that many of us are having to deal with right now. There is definitely a benefit to performers to be able to use a platform that, at this time, is the primary means of connection for the world. They can utilize this time to bring their music to a larger audience. I’m sure many artists are also feeling some sort of comfort in the connection that they are also lacking given their current inability to perform for audiences. As a musician myself, I would assume that a large majority of artists got into music-making due to some belief in the power of music, whether on a conscious level or not. Therefore, the use of their gifts may provide them with some sense of comfort or even control in a chaotic situation.