Quarantunes that Keep me Feeling Grüvi While Stuck at Home
I’ve officially been quarantining for seven weeks. While I’m grateful that my job is paying me to stay home during this time, this drastic lifestyle change paired with the exhausting 24-hour news cycle has been a challenging adjustment for all of us.
These past 4+ years of sobriety gave me some tools that help during times of high stress and heightened anxiety. Two items I frequently pull out of my toolbox that keep me sane(ish) during these unprecedented times: listening to music on my record player and sipping on non-alcoholic beer like Grüvi. Grüvi offers several different types of NA beer: Stout, Lager, Weisse (my personal fav!), and IPA. They even have a bubbly, non-alcoholic prosecco! Check out this killer “mimosa” recipe. I drink a lot of
My dad is a heavy metal musician and my mom is a music trivia aficionado. Music has always been a huge part of my life. It’s a healthy form of escapism that helps me feel closer to my family and to myself. There’s something magical about listening to music on vinyl. Perhaps it’s the imperfections or the scratchiness. Maybe it’s the sheer nostalgia of it all. Whatever it is, it’s a simple form of self-care that I’ve grown accustomed to. Here are some of my favorite
Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Every morning during my CrossFit workout, I listen to one side of this classic RHCP double album. There are moments when I feel like I can’t possibly do another rep, then Flea’s funky bassline paired with the punch of Anthony Keidis’s vocals push me through. Fun fact: this album was recorded in Harry Houdini’s old mansion.
Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Once a week, while my partner is at work, I rock out to Jagged Little Pill while cleaning the apartment. Apparently, 56 minutes and 18 seconds is the perfect amount of time to keep our tiny Manhattan home looking tidy. Our one-bedroom abode is small enough that I can hear Alanis perfectly from all rooms. Click here to read about my experience at Jagged Little Pill: the Musical and here to read about how Alanis’s music taught me about anger.
Gone Now by Bleachers
Everyone’s heard of Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey, but not enough people know about their producer, Jack Antonoff aka Bleachers. His modernization of the classic 80’s synth-pop sound makes his music easily identifiable. I’ve had the privilege of seeing Bleachers in concert several times. Listening to this album reminds me of simpler times and gives me hope that one day, we can all go to live events again.
The Whole Story by Kate Bush
This album is one of my favorite used record finds. I found it at a random thrift sale in a local synagogue for only $3! Old records are hit or miss when it comes to sound quality, but this album sounds perfect! No skips at all.
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Tawny is an NYC-based writer, public speaker, and event producer who’s passionate about smashing stigmas associated with both sexuality and sobriety. Ruby Warrington dubbed Tawny “The Sober Sexpert”. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Read Tawny’s published words in Playboy, Men’s Health, Huffington Post, The Temper, Audiofemme, SheSaid, Recovery Campus, WorkIt Health, and NY Yoga & Life Magazine. Tawny shared her recovery story on stages all across the world: IOGT World Congress, New York State Recovery Conference, United Federation of Teachers, and more.
In addition to writing and public speaking, she’s the founder of the Readings on Recovery™ reading series and SobrieTea Party™ and co-host of Recovery Rocks podcast with Lisa Smith. She’s also a charity volunteer with Road Recovery and an award-winning filmmaker of the recovery documentary, Fixed Up.
STRONG! As for KATE BUSH, check out her 1985 album “Hounds of Love”, its a masterpiece!