17 sounds to ground you

And carry you through this week

Hello there!

Can I be real with you for a second? I’ve been tired lately. Whether it be starting a new project or (finally) becoming a naturalized Canadian, life has been good to me.

However, it has also been rather intense. You know those times when something huge, something you’ve been waiting for for a long time finally happens. And you found yourself so tired that you just can’t bring yourself to feel the thing?

Yep. That’s been me.

The exhaustion has been creeping into work and tiring me out sooner. Luckily (I guess), I’ve been here before so I know what to do. Rest or sleep was, unfortunately, not the answer.

I needed to do something creative. So, this weekend, I decided to rejuvenate myself a little.

I decided to re-acquaint myself with all the reasons I love my work; all the reasons I love sounds. I set out on a simple quest — to find 17 sounds that ground me.

And here I’m sharing them with you.

✨ 17 sounds to ground you

The interesting thing about these 17 sounds is that they’re all around you; they are easy to access if you just listen in.

When we get in our heads, that’s all we need.

These sounds, their impact, and their mere presence served to remind me why auditory simulations are so important to us. They served to remind me why I do and love what I do.

Here are the 17 sounds to ground you:

1. The gentle hush of the shower coming on 

2. The sizzle of your food on the stove

3. The trill of the bird against your windowsill 

4. The beep of the microwave when your food is ready

5. The thrum of the motorcycle rumbling down the block 

6. The healing sound of your best friend’s voice

7. The whirr of your vehicle turning on

8. The pitter patter of spring rain 

9. The rustle of a page turning in a book

10. A sigh (yours or a pet’s)

11. The welcome message your headphones play when they come on 

12. The whirring of the coffee machine in the morning 

13. The first notes of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata

14. The sound of your game coming on 

15. The crunch of your feet on leaves on the ground 

16. The tick tick ticking of the wall clock in your room 

17. The whistle the tea kettle lets out when the water is hot

This week, I hope you find grounding in one, two, or all seventeen of these sounds around you.

What sounds ground you, no matter when or what? Do share in the comments.

Next time on Audio Affairs: NicheCast — a podcast playlist for when you’re moving to a new place.

With insurmountable joy,

Shreya