Music has been one of my most powerful tools for healing. In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, I’m sharing the 12 songs that helped me find my way back to light: my “Morning Glory” playlist. Each one tells a part of my story, and I hope it reminds you that you’re never alone in yours. 💛

Trigger warning: suicide and self-harm

Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month, with September 10th recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day. All around the world, organizations and communities come together to raise awareness and create hope. To work toward a future where fewer lives are lost to suicide.

Since my teen years, I’ve experienced sporadic dips in my emotional state. And in my lowest moments, my saving grace was always thinking about how my actions would affect my mom. So, I turned to self-harm to cope. For decades.

In my mid-twenties, music became my first teacher, my healer, in navigating the waves of my inner world. It gave me a safe way to express myself and helped me feel that I wasn’t alone in the way I felt. I used it to help me laugh, to cry, to dance away the weight of the day, and even pull me out of those depressive states.

My relationship with music inspired me to start a playlist of songs for those times I needed to work through strong emotions. When I’d feel myself spiraling, I’d lay down on my living room floor, turn the volume up high and let myself feel and release. Truly feeling my emotions and letting them out through crying, yelling the song lyrics, or screaming, allowed me to express myself in a healthier way than cutting or isolating myself and questioning my existence. I’ve since learned to recognize when I’m spiraling into a low-energy state and am now able to sit with those emotions and work through it, rather than letting them take over. I will still listen to this playlist though because I truly love every single one of these songs for how they’ve pulled me through my moments in the dark.

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month and for everyone who’s walked a minute or years in the dark, I want to share a piece of that journey with you: my “Morning Glory” playlist. It begins with songs that allow me to cry and release the ache in my heart, reminding me I am not alone. Then it shifts into encouragement and uplifting tracks, some self-love, and finally ends with songs that get me moving and dancing, helping me release any lingering emotions and stuck energy. By the end, I feel lighter, freer, and more myself again.

Here’s the Morning Glory playlist on YouTube or you can continue scrolling through each song below.

Josh Groban – River

Ahh, Josh Groban’s “River”. I discovered this song during Covid and every lyric spoke to me and how I felt during those soul depleting times. Groban explained to People that the “river” mentioned in the song represents hope. “Whenever we have dark times in our lives, whether we suffer from depression, or addiction, or anxiety, or even just having a really bad day, the worst is that it feels like we are suffering alone,” he said. “In a world of billions connected by social media, far too many people feel this way and while the conversation is getting better, it’s not talked about nearly enough.” It’s absolutely beautiful. This song helps me release the tears because…it’s exactly how I’m feeling in those moments. 

Lyrics: “Some days I can’t say why I’m feeling lonely | And some days I am too proud to ask for help | And I stumble through the noise trying to find some peace.”

Alexander Stewart – if you only knew

This song…hits home every time I listen to it, no matter how I’m feeling. The lyrics are powerful, and speak to my heart, especially the Steph in her 20’s. If this is felt by you, know that my arms are around you and I’m hugging you so tight.

Lyrics: “It’s a silent cry for help | I wanna get better, I want you to know | That I can’t do this on my own.”

Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay

This song is another one that calls to my heart, depicting how we are always ‘alright’ to everyone, even if we don’t feel that way. But also provides hope that we will be…

Also, I love how we’re talking about mental health and depression. It’s become the norm for the younger generation and is showing up in mainstream music, tv shows, and movies. It’s in the news and occurring between friends and loved ones. Athletes and actors and people that are in the spotlight are highlighting their own battles. It’s beautiful to witness and while I wouldn’t wish this company on anyone, I think the healing is easier when it’s the norm to discuss it.

Lyrics: “I am not okay | I’m hanging on the rails | So if I say I’m fine | Just know I learned to hide it well.”

Lauren-Michael Sellers (original by Lauren Daigle) – Hold On To Me

I loved her voice and performance so much, her performance from The Voice Knockouts was on constant repeat for a solid month. This song…the lyrics…makes me grateful and thankful for those who were there to help me see the light, to pull me out of the darkness, to recognize when I wasn’t myself. To love me and hug me despite my feelings of lack or not hugging them back.

Lyrics: “Hold on to me when it’s too dark to see You. | When I am sure I have reached the end | Hold on to me when I forget I need You.”

Matthew West – Mended

This song carried me through my second knee surgery, quitting my government job, and the tough times of indecision that followed. I connect with it so much. I went through years where I’d listen to the Matthew West Pandora station when I need to be uplifted. <3

Lyrics: “When you see nothing but damaged goods | I see something good in the making | I’m not finished yet | When you see wounded, I see mended.”

Disturbed – The Sound of Silence

I love this powerful song. His voice is phenomenal, but the message is great too (and yes, I know it’s originally a S&G song, which is also fabulous). We exist in a world where we don’t hear each other, aren’t communicating, only focused on ourselves. Let’s not remain alone in the silence.

Lyrics: “People talking without speaking | People hearing without listening.”

Crowder – Come As You Are

I just discovered Crowder! His voice wows me. It’s a beautiful song and I love it every time I listen to it. Also brings out the tears for me. 

Lyrics: “So lay down your hurt | Lay down your heart | Come as you are.”

Danny Gokey – Tell Your Heart to Beat Again

This one always pulls out the feels in me…which is the purpose of the playlist. To help me let out all the aches. And so, at this point, tears are most likely streaming down my face.

Lyrics: “So get back up, take step one | Leave the darkness, feel the sun | ‘Cause your story’s far from over | And your journey’s just begun.”

Calum Scott, Leona Lewis – You Are the Reason

Their voices are beautiful! At this point, I switch the focus to self-love and sing the lyrics to myself.

Lyrics: “And if I could turn back the clock | I’d make sure the light defeated the dark | I’d spend every hour, of every day | Keeping you safe.”

Cher – Burlesque – You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me

Because…well…Cher. She’s strong, and amazing, and this song is when I start building myself back up.

Lyrics: “I’m down now | But I’ll be standing tall again | Times are hard but I was built tough | I’m gonna show you all what I’m made of.”

Rachel Platten – Stand By You

Another wonderful song to build myself back up, to finally take back my power, to tell myself I’ll carry you and together we’ll break through, cause we’re not alone. (Fight Song is also a great one for this list…)

Lyrics: “And hey, if your wings are broken | Please take mine ’til yours can open too | ‘Cause I’m gonna stand by you.”

The Greatest Showman – This Is Me

And finally, at the end of the crying jag, after the uplifting power ballads, for a little fun, I make myself dance, twirl, and sing at the top of my lungs. Sorry neighbors!

This song says it perfectly. We are all Glorious, not because of what we achieve or how perfectly we fit into the world’s mold, but simply because we exist. We are who we’re meant to be, flaws, quirks, scars, and all.

This song is a reminder to stop shrinking, stop apologizing, and stop trying to be someone else’s version of “enough.” Instead, it asks us to rise, to own our story, and to keep marching to our own unique rhythm. Because when we fully embrace who we are, we don’t just free ourselves, we give others permission to do the same. Hugs my friends!

Lyrics: “And I’m marching on to the beat I drum | I’m not scared to be seen | I make no apologies, this is me.”

Post Your Dark Day Practices Below

These songs have carried me through some of my toughest seasons, giving me a safe space to feel, release, and return to myself. Music has been my anchor, my reminder that even in the darkest moments, I’m not alone…and that there’s always a way to move through the heaviness.

I’d love to hear from you: what songs pull you through the dark days, or even keep you from reaching those dark days in the first place? Maybe it isn’t music for you. Maybe it’s journaling, walking in nature, breathwork, meditation, or something completely unique to you. However you find your way back to balance, your routines and practices matter.

Please share below. You never know who might need to hear your story or discover your tools. Your words could be the spark that helps someone else feel less alone and gives them hope in their own dark space. Together, we can remind one another that healing, light, and joy are always within reach.

Additional Resources:

• • • Immediate assistance is available for those in need of help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or by calling 1-800-662-HELP.
    • For more information on mental health or mental health month, visit Mental Health America.
    • Create a Self-Care Plan (or view self-care tips here).
    • If you need a shoulder or for someone to see you, Isela and I host our Heart Circle at Memorial Park (every Thursday in September). Stop by. We’ll sit with you.