Growing up I loved expressing myself through the arts and creativity.  I started dancing when I was six and by the time I was in my mid teens I was doing five classes a week.  Looking back now I wonder what my parents were thinking of agreeing to this given the time and financial commitment they made but that is another story.  I played the recorder in primary school (just another way I tortured my parents).  I then moved on to the flute in secondary school and have great memories of being in the school band.  And in both years of my VCE four of my six subjects were based on art, graphics or dance.

Over the years since school my creative outlets have reduced due to many different circumstances.  In the last couple of years when life has felt out of control and the need to control what I can has increased my creativity has taken a huge hit.

However one thing I do still feel a connection to is music.  I have music playing in my house often but what is playing varies greatly based on how I am feeling.  See I have always connected music to memories and emotions.  It can be the lyrics, the tune or just the emotion behind it all.

There are songs that make me think of my years of dancing, songs that take me back to high school and in particular my years in the school band.  There are songs that make me think of my wedding day, my marriage and the end of that relationship.  And so many songs that I connect to my children.

But the feelings attached to the music can change.  Songs that used to make me cry about my marriage ending no longer have that impact.  Songs that I relate to younger years that make me reminisce and songs relating to my kids always make me tear up.

My Spotify playlists are so varied that I am not sure how it continues to suggest songs for me.  However one thing I can guarantee is that there are always playlists for me to sing along to and there are always songs to take away the quietness of the house when the boys are at their dads.

Over time I am trying to get back to some of my other creative outlets and connections but in the meantime music will continue to be a big part of life in my house.

• Self-Care