Positive Ambient

A playlist to sooth the soul (and some random musings)

For years, I’ve been listening to ambient music. And today, as I took a stroll through my neighbourhood Gültepe, or ‘Rose Hill’ in English, I listened to the following playlist. Though this part of Istanbul (where I live) is truly chaotic (more so than other regions—maybe more on that in another post), this playlist truly made me smile and notice the more subtle, beautiful things around me.

Things you always notice when you spend a few hours in nature. Notice, and almost become a part of.

In the hope that it may reach more people, and with the intention of getting this Substack started (why not just write on my website? Change, I guess. To try something new?) I’d like to share the link here.

I haven’t had much time (or spent much time) on my side project(s) recently (aboutai.life amongst others), yet I’ve spent time on myself. I’m currently doing Center, A 30 Day Yoga Journey by Adriene, swimming more (I signed up about 2 months ago; to get rid of that ‘post-pandemic vibe’, which I still haven’t been able to shake off completely) and cooking more wholesome, plant-based meals. Something about turning 35, as well as experiencing excruciating sadness post-6-February-earthquake as well as the disappointment of losing the elections, on top of an inflation rate of over 150% has sort of made me feel incredibly resilient and vulnerable at the same time. Either way, my intention for this year was ‘health above anything else.’ We had voiced our resolutions together on New Years with my family, and though I haven’t been able stick to it the first 5 months of the year, for some reason (not giving up?) I’m now finally making decisions that are making me feel proud of myself (are we even allowed to say that?)

Who knows? I’m remembering one thing that has stuck with me from a discussion I had with a psychologist once who said something along the lines of: ‘You may try something 100 times and not get there, but if you don’t give up and try that 101st time, afterwards, you’ll finally create that shift.’ Meaning, you may fail 100 times, but if you decide to stick with it, you will create that change. Or something will change in your brain. I mean, I’ve read about habits before. Is this all neuroplasticity? Maybe. If you say so. Whatever it is, I’m experiencing a mind shift. We’ll see where this goes.

Anyway, I’m logging off for today. It’s 22:21 and my back is telling me I need to lie down.

Have a good, hopefully, positively ambient evening.

Photos from my stroll

P.S - I hope I don’t regret posting this post later on (as I continue listening to this playlist as I write, I do feel that my desire to be vulnerable publically is more than at other times).