2025 Playlist

“I can’t believe I never went on a date this year.” That was the very first sentence I wrote months ago, in the earliest draft of this post. Which is funny, because why did I write that? Why was that my opening thought?

At the beginning of the year, I gave myself about a million goals. Some were unrealistic, some I didn’t even like, and some I only wanted because they looked good on paper. I kept adding things to stay busy and kept multitasking so I wouldn’t have to think too hard about anything else.

This year, whenever something mildly inconvenient happened, my whole routine will collapse for a week. And I cried almost every month, only to realize it was just my period again. But also, there was so much happening this year, both locally and internationally, that made me feel sad and frustrated. I had to force myself to stay away from the internet because I was staying up late doomscrolling or mentally drafting responses to rage-bait posts. It was affecting me, draining my energy, and honestly, I feel small and it all felt really pointless.

Today I listened to this playlist again. The first song that caught me was Northern Star, and it made me smile. Sometimes in awe or nostalgia or bitterness. According to my Spotify Wrapped, my top song this year was Hozier’s cover of Do I Wanna Know. I listened to it 36 times… and then three more times after that.

Other songs that low-key defined my year: Jeff Buckley’s Mama, You Been on My Mind, Corsicana, and Andrew Bird’s Are You Serious. Selfless by The Strokes (first heard during a very late Spotify jam). Lover Boy by Sophie. Let Down 🥺. Nobody’s Son 💅. To The Wolves. All of them just quietly living in the background of my 2025.

And somewhere in all of this crying, chaos and endless scrolling, I somehow learned how to come back to myself, slowly and imperfectly. I learned how to feel everything without needing to escape it.

Corruption Core PH

This playlist captures my anger and my hope.

Anger, because the government feels like one big circus, with corruption everywhere and people in power caring more about themselves than the country. And what makes it worse is that we are divided. Instead of standing together for what’s good for everyone, most people chose to fight for their politicians and not to the future of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, farmers, workers, and ordinary families are the ones who suffer. Food keeps getting more expensive, taxes pile up, ghost projects eat our money, and the same corrupt people just keep coming back into power.

Despite that I also feel hope. I believe we deserve better. Leaders who actually serve and can manage well. Transparency with our money and accountability for those who’ve stolen from the citizens. Affordable food prices and commute. I want solidarity, people fighting for each other, not for politicians.

So yeah, this playlist is for that mix of frustration and stubborn hope. For when you’re tired of the system and everything, but also not ready to stop dreaming that maybe someday we’ll get the country we’ve been fighting for.

My Room Concert Setlist

Sometimes my room turns into a concert stage but there’s no audience, just me with an imaginary mic.

The reason I made this playlist is that I randomly watched a YouTube video of a woman explaining the throat chakra. It basically said singing is one of the best ways to open it up and heal it. And as someone who used to have this thing with her voice and having a hard time expressing myself vocally, I’ve decided to try if it will work. I used to be so quiet ever since and my voice is almost whispery even when I try to make it louder. That wasn’t the case now but I miss that voice sometimes because there’s something delicate and cute about a soft voice.

There’s something almost magical about singing in your room. It’s healing I guess. I think singing these songs out loud helped me in some way. Aside from boosting my energy it made me feel more comfortable with my voice.

So yeah, this playlist is technically my “room concert setlist,” but it’s also kind of a therapy. It’s all the songs I love to belt out.

Game Bgm

I’ve always been a multitasker. Working while eating, listening to a podcast while typing, or even working with music on, sometimes singing along and building a playlist at the same time. I guess my brain gets bored if it’s doing only one thing.

With this playlist, I can somehow do three things at once without getting lost: work, listen, and have a full-on conversation. That’s how good it is.

I actually made this playlist because I read somewhere that video game background music can make you more focused and productive.

O, My heARt

Hi,

Coffee Shop Playlist

I made this in a hopeless romantic haze.

I imagine these songs playing at a tiny coffee shop. I imagine the people. A couple having their first date, two strangers lock eyes from across the room and their love story begins while a Colbie Caillat song was playing in the background, a group of old friends laughing out loud and someone journaling by the window.

There’s a smell of coffee in the air and everything is warm and glowing.

This is for us hopeless romantics who like to pretend we live in a cozy indie film.

Living In A State Of Trance

Helloo

Have you ever heard a song so good you accidentally close your eyes just to feel it?

This playlist is that.

I made this while romanticizing the idea of having my own little cafe and the songs I will play in it.

Since I may have a distinct music taste as most people tell me, I may or may not play this on my coffee shop. The longer I listened to this playlist, the more it sounded like it belonged in a room at 3am where someone can’t sleep too.

Also, playing this made me feel like I was in a trance so I’ll just change it to that.

— Belle

Reggae Playlist

They say listening to Reggae uplift spirits so I made a playlist for that and I think it’s true.

I made it as a back up playlist for when my “Sad songs for bad days” playlist is not working anymore.

It’s also a good playlist to listen to during summer or times when you feel like bopping your head on each songs.

If you need something to instantly lift your mood or make you feel good. Give this a listen.

Zombies vs. A Girl Who Listens to Lana Del Rey

Helloo!

I’m so excited to share this playlist with you!

Last week I watched 28 Years After and it was good. It got me thinking… will I thrive during a zombie apocalypse? Or would I be too scared to even step outside?

Ideally, I’d be out there saving people, fighting zombies, being brave like that girl in Resident Evil. Maybe if there was a zombie outbreak I’d probably still be romanticizing everything 😭. Maybe that’s just how I cope.

I tried listening to this playlist while walking and imagining I was in a post-apocalyptic movie and had to be alert on the possible dangers around me, pretending zombies could appear at any moment.

It weirdly helped me stay alert and made everything feel a little more dramatic (in a fun way).

Sometimes I just like imagining alternate versions of myself. This time it’s the one who keeps going and trying to survive even when things feel uncertain.

Anyway, maybe you’ll enjoy it too.

Survivor

-Belle