I might have been in a rut. I'm not sure. But the not listening to music thing started about 15 years ago. I hardly ever put it on. Went right off it. Except when on drugs. Then I liked it again. But the idea of listening every day I find really disgusting like eating a family size bag of Doritos all by yourself.
This thing must have made it very very obvious to everyone how much persistent background stress is caused by noise pollution.
Whatever the situation, it is a bit weird right now. Ear work outs with music you love is good self care.
I find the key is to listen while you're occupied with something else that doesn't use your brain, like cooking or eating or in the bath or whatever.
yup. I discovered this about 20 years ago when I painted an apartment by myself. I'd move all the furniture into another room, drag in the floor covering and a shitty old cd boombox, and just play stuff all day while mindlessly spackling, priming and painting walls and ceiling. took about two weeks total to do the entire place, I was unemployed at the time so just took my time. had probably a half-dozen cases where an album just clicked, you almost don't notice it happening but periodically find yourself stopping in your tracks and thinking "whoa, this is really good." yeah, same thing can happen with cooking.
Having nothing whatsoever to do. This is why I definitely recommend switching the Internet off every day too, for however long. I've had my phone switched off the whole time also so no one can talk to me.