Since embarking on this joy-urney of sorts, I have had a lot (really a lot!) of time spent traveling to destinations.

Growing up, I truly disliked the traveling part of travel—I always just wanted to get there! However, I have come to truly enjoy my long travel days. They give me a chance to go deeper, to release things that holding me back from living in my joy, and to fine-tune more of what a joyful life looks like to me.

Part of that (a la Dr. Joe Dispenza!), is rewiring my brain to be more joyful. And one way to do that is to cultivate an elevated emotion while then thinking the thought you want to have.

Given this, I try to listen to music that helps me to get excited for all the joy in my life!

Here’s a list of 10 songs that are on my joy-urney’s playlist.

#1: “Budding Trees” by Nahko Medicine for the People

Perhaps my favorite song ever (it was my #1 most listened on Spotify for a few years!). “Budding Trees” just reminds me of all the wonder and beauty of this amazing life. Whenever I’m feeling a little down, listening to this song truly picks me up again.

#2: “Oh, What A World” by Kacey Musgraves

I first heard this song when listening to a playlist of Dr. Joe Dispenza’s retreat music. It popped up, and I immediately loved it. I actually listened to it for almost an entire six-hour plane ride! I use it with visualization to help boost my joy. It truly reminds me of the magic of this world!

#3: “The Story of You” by Satsang

Embarking on a “joy-urney” is pretty much an entirely solo task. Everyone who embarks on their own “joy-urney”-no matter what their own joy-urney looks like- will find it ultimately forces you to take a long hard look at who YOU are. As such, it really is you writing the story of you. Who do you want to be? How do you want to act? What do you want your life to look like? The possibilities are endless and infinite! This song serves as such a powerful reminder to remember your life is the story of you!

#4: “Road Less Traveled” by Lauren Alaina

Going along with this joy-urney being largely a solo task, following your joy requires you to step outside the comfort zone… both your own comfort zone and that that others have for you. It is quite the experience (but totally and 100% worth it!). However, it does me sometimes you feel alone (and perhaps with some doubt) about taking this road less traveled. This song reminds me that is 100% the right thing, even when the doubt rings loud in my ears!

#5: “Adventure of Me” by Rob Riccardo

With a fun beat and even better message, this song is a wonderful one to listen to if you love to travel solo. So many people really fear solo travel, but-when you actually do it-you realize how great it can be. And part of that is that it forces you to spend time with yourself… and this song reminds us that can be such an adventure!

#6: “2 Oceans” by Trevor Hall and Marieme

There comes a point in your “joy-urrney” when you maybe feel like you are living between two different versions of you. The person you were before you decided to live out of pure joy, and the one who is living out their joy in life. It is currently where I feel I am at! “2 Oceans” reminds us of this feeling of being two different people.

#7: “Follow the Sun” by Xavier Rudd

Much like the title suggests, this song is pure sunshine. It reminds us to explore, to adventure and ultimately to follow your own inner guidance and heart in life.

#8: “I Lived” by OneRepublic

There’s a quote that I absolutely love by Mary Oliver that says, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”. This song is that quote epitomized. When we reach the end of our lives and look back in reflection, are we going to be able to say we truly lived? In 2020, I felt like my answer would have been no. I was surviving, but definitely not living. With starting this space and embarking on my joy-urney, now I listen to this song and find myself nodding along because I truly feel like I am living this life to the fullest that I can!

#9: “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” by Lainey Wilson

When I hear this song, it makes me feel like I’m out west in Wyoming or Colorado. Imagine cowboy hats, big open skies and a true feeling of being on top of the world when you listen to this song. Such fun vibes!

#10: A World to Explore” by Joshua Radin

Aren’t we so lucky to live on this beautiful planet? To be able to call Earth our home is such a joy, and this song reminds us of this! It will leave you feeling ready to hit the road or board a plane and start wandering around this blue orb we live on. Onwards!

Do you have a favorite song to listen to on travel days? Comment below!