Office DJ: Songs for when you've lost your marbles

I’ve officially lost all of my marbles.

And not only have I just lost these marbles, but they are scattered all over my floor and I think I just rolled my ankle on one this morning.

Oh, and I’m pretty sure that my last straw finally got pulled two weeks ago. 

As a full time college student who works a [redacted] amount of hours, I’ve come to the realization that it’s okay to have lost my marbles and all of my straws. It’s part of “embracing the suck,” as my boyfriend likes to remind me, and I think that my soul has made peace with that. But that certainly doesn’t mean that I have a grip. 

In fact, if anyone knows where I can get one of those, let me know. 

College has been a really confusing place for me — one that seems to never have a clear answer. While I’m certainly not the only person to ever struggle in college, everyone gets close to their edge at different points. 

During my first semester at UNC, I had to start therapy at Counseling and Psychological Services because I got a little too close to my edge. 

My sessions challenged me to think about methods that made college seem a bit more welcoming and my life a little less horrible. Aside from dropping out — which I almost did — I found a deep appreciation for music that comes at inappropriate times.  

For example, when it’s pouring down rain and you are soaking wet on your way to class thinking about how much it sucks, what better song to come up on shuffle than “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes? 

A friend of yours gets cheated on by their boyfriend and you’re comforting her in the car. Then all of the sudden “Scotty Doesn’t Know” by Lustra rings through your speakers at full volume. 

These vibes make no sense and that’s what makes these moments so glorious. 

Since my therapy sessions, I’ve made it a point to embrace the musical moments that play out in my life — even when they don’t have any explanation. And that’s exactly what this playlist is — no sense. 

Recently, I’ve learned that nothing is going to make sense in this life, and if it does then you better hold on to that moment. Or if you’re like me, throw it out the window as soon as you can because you have to just live with the weird and accentuate it whenever possible. 

As someone who has thousands of thoughts bouncing around my brain each minute and can cry at the drop of a hat, I think I have accepted my lack of marbles. I've also learned that whenever I lose them, I should leave them in cool places and give my straws to really phenomenal people. 

The lesson you should probably take away from this is to never put me in charge of music.

But, if you ever see me running around campus with a coffee in one hand and an energy drink in the other, please know that there is no telling what I’m listening to.

But if I’m having a funky day, there is a chance it may be this playlist. 

@livvreilly

opinion@dailytarheel.com