Listen to this playlist as you reflect on how you’ve grown and evolved this year

**Here at M.T. Deco, we want you to not only thrive in business and life, but we want to help you find the tools that work for you to do that. Welcome to our fifth monthly playlist, curated by M.T. Deco friend & fan, Lissie Jacobson, a one-woman music library. Let this be the soundtrack for your work days, while you’re out for a walk, or going for a drive. Below, Lissie shares her full list and the inspiration behind her choices, and the lyrics that totally spoke to her. **

Everyone says life is full of twists and turns, that you can’t plan anything too far ahead- life just happens. Well, there’s a lot of things “people say” that is just terrible, basic advice but from what I gather through my almost 40 years on the planet, that one seems to be pretty spot on. The way people change, grow and evolve is very often a reaction to things that happen to them. It feels as though sometimes even one tiny bump in the road could be the catalyst for a massive, monstrous life change. The beauty of that is, we never know. I’m very lucky to run deep with an amazing group of friends, a lot of which are Type A personalities -planners, executors, initiators - you name it, but we’re constantly adapting to whatever gets thrown at us. Big or small, we always seem to land on our own feet…with a little help from our friends, of course.Now, let’s talk music. It’s been a big couple weeks in the music world. Adele dropped her new album, written and recorded through the depths of her divorce. Taylor Swift re-released her Red album, which is heavily peppered with the roller coaster of emotions that come from break-ups and whirlwind romances. In both cases, there’s a point where you recognize when they’ve been pushed too far -- too far to go back to where and who they were. 

So in the spirit of evolving, of Adele and Taylor, I hope this playlist moves you. Maybe it will remind you of somewhere you’ve been before - maybe you are happy you left or maybe it’s a welcomed memory. Maybe it will remind you of accepting that things and people change and we fight through them, because we change, too. Enjoy all those places, all those head spaces and be proud of where you’re at, knowing you’ve also been able to evolve. 

Unfold, by Jason Mraz

“Quality is what you see now in the corner of your eye”

Love this acoustic version and the idea that physically opening up can help accept change and push you forward.

Everywhere I go, by Lissie

“This tired mind just wants to be lead home”

Trying to figure out who you want to be and where you want to go can be exhausting, and sometimes just letting something else guide you feels good. 

Changes, by David Bowie

“Time may change me/ but I can’t trace time”

Iconic song- reminder that time pushes forward, always. 

Renegades, by X Ambassadors

“All hail the underdogs/All hail the new kids”

I like the idea here of not underestimating anyone, and banding together to build your tribe

It Ain’t Me, by Kygo w. Selena Gomez 

“Grateful, I’m so grateful”

I’ve listened to this song more times than I could even begin to count, and had no idea that’s what she said- but it makes perfect sense, sometimes you just have to be grateful for setting your own boundaries.  

Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up), by Florence + the Machine 

“I must become a lion hearted girl”

You can have a good heart, but also a bold one- I love that message. 

We Can Work It Out, by The Beatles

“Life is very short, and there's no time/For fussing and fighting, my friend”

Such wise words from John Lennon & Paul McCartney- always grateful for their talents

Elastic Heart, by Sia 

“I've got thick skin and an elastic heart”

She’s taking “pulling on heartstrings” to a new level, her strength is palpable. 

Chapel Song, by Augustines 

“Tear up the photograph/'Cause it's a bright blue sky”

Things don’t always go the way you want them to, plain and simple. 

I Can Change, by Lake Street Dive 

“But fear won't rule my heart tonight”

I love these words, I love her voice- just discovered this band--always a pleasure to relish in new music. 

Man in the Mirror, by Russel Dickerson 

“If you wanna make the world a better place/Take a look at yourself and then make a change”

I’m a sucker of a good cover, this version with his twang really brought this song back to life. 

Everybody’s Changing, by Keane 

“Everybody's Changing, and I don't feel the same”

Focus on your own path, don’t let the timing of others’ path deter you from moving on yours

The River of Dreams, by Billy Joel 

“I hope it doesn't take the rest of my life/Until I find what it is that I've been looking for”

The ebbs and flows are what makes each life unique, I like the flow and upbeat of this jam. 

I Lived, OneRepublic 

“I owned every second that this world could give”

I feel like this is such a hard thing to say and do, but working towards it can always be a goal

Drive-In Movies, by Ray LaMontagne 

“Now I know all the things that I didn't know”

 Such an evolution of being young and wanting to be old and then being older and wanting to be young.

Easy On Me, by Adele 

“I had good intentions/And the highest hopes”

This was the first release off her album and it’s my favorite- reminder to give yourself some grace and ask for them when needed. 

Forgive me Friend, by Smith & Thell (feat.  Swedish Jam Factory)

“'Cause I fell in the hole, in the hole, in the hole”

Sometimes we do things we’re not proud of, and we can admit when we’re in a bad place

Lady Like, by Ingrid Andress

“I've been told I'm not ladylike”

Being true to yourself no matter the cost is important. 

YES, by Ben & Tan

“Think my heart is beating me to death”

Saying yes to new things after fear has held you back is so refreshing, I love this duo. 

Sleep On The Floor, by The Lumineers

“'Cause if we don't leave this town/We might never make it out”

Sometimes it’s the quick decisions that seem small but are truly impactful. 

Everything Has Changed, by Taylor Swift & Ed Sheeran 

“All I know since yesterday/Is everything has changed”

What a fun twist, a quick hello turning into something much deeper. 

SeriesEmma MarshallComment