No one tells you that when you get married, you’ll end up being a bit of a therapist for your spouse. Fortunately for me, Matthew is about as mentally sound and optimistic as a person can be so all of the laying on the couch going over problems comes from me. There was one time when he was out of town so we had to have a phone therapy session. I can’t remember what I was upset about but at some point, he started humming the tune to “See You Again.” I semi-sang a couple lines because I am defenseless against anything catchy and then we went on talking. A few minutes later, Matthew suggested I listen to music to try and feel better. It seemed like a random suggestion until he explained.

“You’ve already seemed better since you heard that song.”

And I was better. I remember feeling a lighter, less hopeless. I hadn’t noticed the change but it was as clear and real as my melancholy had been. Just a couple lines from a good song made all the difference.

Here’s a mix for when you want to feel lighter

1. All For You, Sister Hazel
2. Be Still, My Soul, Alex Boyé
3. Valerie, Amy Winehouse
4. Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles
5. In My Life, The Beatles
6. December 1963, Billy Joel
7. Darlin’ Do Not Fear, Brett Dennen
8. You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne
9. Fallin’ For You, Colbie Caillat
10. PYT, Michael Jackson
11. Two Coins, Dispatch
12. Santeria, Sublime
13. La Vie en Rose, Edith Piaf
14. Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
15. Snails, The Format
16. King of Wishful Thinking, Go West
17. I Choose You, Sara Bareilles
18. Better Together, Jack Johnson
19. Purify Me, India Arie
20. Haven’t Met You Yet, Michael Buble
21. All About You, McFly
22. Here It Goes Again, ok go
23. Under Pressure, Queen feat. David Bowie
24. The World’s Greatest, R. Kelly
25. Fast Cars and Freedom, Rascal Flatts
26. Fidelity, Regina Spektor
27. The Bird and the Worm, Owl City
28. Kiss Me, Six Pence None the Richer
29. Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison
30. Island in the Sun, Weezer

My number one, all-time cure is Tiny Dancer by Elton John. It makes me think of my favorite scene in Almost Famous and I can’t help but smile. I may have to put it on repeat but it always comes through for me. But if pop fails you or you don’t like Elton John, try Rascal Flatts. I listened to them the whole night before I got a wisdom tooth pulled and I managed to not have a meltdown. But if country isn’t your thing, Disney songs come through every time.