If you’ve ever felt like you’re lost in the woods, running in circles, feeling stressed and anxious without knowing how to break the cycle, you’re not alone. Anxiety can feel like marking a tree to keep track of where you’ve been, only to find yourself right back at the same spot. But what if you could find a way out?
Yes, you can heal. Yes, you can move forward. Yes, your life can get exponentially better. One powerful tool for managing anxiety is music—specifically, playing guitar and songwriting. Let’s talk about how these creative outlets can help you reclaim your peace of mind.
Start with Reflection: Write It Out
When I first decided that I’d had enough of anxiety, I started journaling. Every day, sometimes twice a day, I’d write down exactly how I was feeling—physically, emotionally, and mentally. This practice helped me recognize patterns and see where I needed to make changes.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, try writing yourself a letter. Be as detailed as possible about why you want to change and how anxiety is affecting your life. This can serve as a reminder of your commitment when you feel yourself slipping back into old habits.
Change Your Routine
One of the quickest ways to disrupt anxiety’s grip is to change your daily routine. If you’ve been doing the same things every morning and they haven’t helped, it’s time to switch things up. I personally have a specific morning routine that includes music, and it makes all the difference. Find something that works for you.
Stop Hiding Who You Are
Anxiety often stems from suppressing our true selves. You might be hiding behind a version of yourself that isn’t authentic. Maybe you’ve been dealt a rough hand in life, and it wasn’t fair. But at some point, you have to let your true colors shine. That’s where music comes in. Songwriting and playing guitar allow you to express emotions in a way that words alone cannot.
Sit Still and Breathe
Before you pick up the guitar, take a moment to sit still. Even if it’s just for a few seconds, practice being present. Breathe. Anxiety thrives on constant movement and distraction, but stillness helps uncover what’s really going on inside.
If you make this a habit, over time, those seconds will turn into minutes of peaceful clarity. And in those quiet moments, inspiration often strikes.
Write Your Way to Healing
Songwriting is one of the best ways to process emotions. Whatever is inside—pain, frustration, hope—needs to come out. Music provides a healthy, creative outlet for those emotions. If you’re not sure where to start, try writing about what you’re feeling in the moment. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be honest.
For example, one of my songs started with the line:
“I didn’t know where we wanted to go, just had enough of here.”
That single line was enough to start shaping a song that helped me process what I was going through.
Play and Move Forward
After you’ve taken time to sit still and write, the next step is to play. Pick up your guitar, strum a few chords, and let the music flow. If you’re new to playing, start with something simple—an easy A note, then step down to G. Even basic progressions can help you express what’s inside.
Music has a way of moving energy. When you play, you’re not just making sound; you’re transforming your emotions into something tangible. That’s powerful.
Repeat the Process
Healing from anxiety isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a process. Each day, take the time to sit still, write, play, and reflect. Start over as many times as you need to. The key is to keep going.
If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll stay stuck in the same anxious patterns. But if you embrace songwriting and guitar as tools for healing, you’ll start to see real change.
You are meant to feel alive, not trapped in stress and anxiety. So pick up your guitar, write your truth, and take the next step—whatever that looks like for you. The road to healing starts with one note, one word, one breath at a time.
~Jake Paul
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