A
male
age
22-25,
*orge
writes:I am an average 15 year old freshman in high school, with a regular range of problems. But we've all been in that position. Although I've noticed something a bit different.I absolutely LOVE the music I listen to (techno/electronic) and would do anything to listen to it. When my iPod dies, I get very anxious and just kind of shut down. When I get my headphones taken away or broken, I'll ask my friends if I can borrow theirs until I get a new pair.It's against the rules to listen to music/use phones in most classes at my school, but the few that I'm allowed are that much easier to focus, but as soon as my privilege is revoked, I don't do well in that class.Even if it isn't allowed in class, I'll still listen and have gotten very sneaky.Is it possible to be addicted to music? It isn't a drug or alcohol, so it's unusual that I feel this way. I just feel so quiet and awkward if I don't have any music playing.I'm a bit concerned as to whether or not I'm addicted to music, or if it's just something I like.As soon as I get the cash, I plan on learning how to make techno music.-Førg€ Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
male
reader, Forge +, writes (25 September 2014):
Forge is verified as being by the original poster of the question @YouWish I can't send you a private message. Maybe try sending me one. I'll look into it more, unless you somehow disabled your mailbox.
A
reader, anonymous, writes (24 September 2014): Forge! You can be quite entertaining and persuasive. You're very cunning; but your studies come first!
Music is for your enjoyment and entertainment. It's great that you're creative. However; you're only 14, and you also have to be good at all your subjects. As I recall from your past posts, you lose sleep, get lost daydreaming, you're easily annoyed, and can be a little distracted. You are the typical teenager, and you'll look for ways to get around your parents and responsibilities. I haven't lost track of how sly you can be young man! I'm not joking!
You definitely need hobbies for extracurricular activities, and fun. Not if you devote more time to listening to music and neglecting everything else. You also have to learn to "manage" addictions or habits; so they don't takeover time that you should be listening to your teachers, studying, and doing your chores.
Most importantly; I don't want your parents to feel DC is making any negative influences on you.
No one here is encouraging you to stray from your study-time, and what your parents and teachers require of you.
I stand-by the advice that you must apply your yourself in school, listen to your teachers, and stay out of trouble.
...............................
A
female
reader, YouWish +, writes (24 September 2014):
 Not a problem, Forge. You can private message me on here if you like. If you're writing music now but haven't yet published it, I can point you to a few places where independents can do some publishing and get serious feedback and exposure. That's how I "met" deadmau5 - we were competing in a genre on mp3.com when it was an independent music site.
...............................
A
male
reader, Forge +, writes (24 September 2014):
Forge is verified as being by the original poster of the question@YouWish It's nice to have some reassurance. I listen to literally everyone on the Monstercat youtube channel, as well as Porter Robinson, S3RL, E-Dubble, and Fox Stevenson/Stan SB.
If you'd like, we can talk more on this! I enjoy discussing this kind of music.
-Førg€
...............................
A
female
reader, YouWish +, writes (24 September 2014):
Heh, Cindy, I had the same reaction! But they actually let my 14-year old listen with headphones in class during study time! I never had such luck, and music was AND IS oxygen to me!
Forge, I'm a musician as well, and was at your age. Don't break the rules, or you'll find yourself even more restricted than you are now. If you're a musician, then you have a vivid and creative brain.
During the "dry" moments of not having music to listen to, use your mind/imagination to recall it when you can't listen to it. Associate music with your work, and it'll help you get better grades. If you're interested in writing and making it, use the "silent" times to consider how you would frame that music itself.
You're not addicted. Your right brain is hyperactive. Channel it and let your left brain (reason, intelligence, measured academia) guide your right brain into letting that music work for you instead of interfering with your sense of well-being.
I used to say when I was your age and my parents banned me from listening to anything buy hyper-religious dogma music that they could take the music away from me, but they could take it OUT of me. That's how you should be when you're unable to listen. You may have to switch off the Ipod, but they can't switch off the brain. You can have the music in your head when nothing else is on.
BTW, what do you like to listen to? I'm partial to Fred Falke, Zedd, Knife Party/Pendulum, Skism, and a host of other good stuff. I used to like Skrillex but don't like the latest, and I'm hot/cold about Zomboy for the same reason.
...............................
A
male
reader, Forge +, writes (24 September 2014):
Forge is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThank you all. I love music and can't seem to pry myself away from it, but I'll try.
@WiseOwlE: I couldn't help but laugh, thanks for that! I need the giggles these days :)
-Førg€
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (23 September 2014): Like any habit, the more you repeat a behavior; the harder it is to put it down or stop it.
You would rather be listening to music than be in school. You are also being defiant and rebellious; because anything you tell a 15 year-old they shouldn't do, it becomes an obsession to do it.
You can put it down, and it doesn't make you perform any better as a student. How can you focus on the teacher and listen to the lecture; if your mind is popping and snapping to electronic rhythms drawing your attention from the front of the classroom and placing you somewhere else? You might B.S. other people, you don't fool me young man!
You're clever Forge, but you're totally full of it kiddo.
You're distracting yourself from what you consider boredom and defying the rules, insisting on doing what you want to do. You may love music, and be addicted to wearing headphones; only because they block-out what you don't want to hear. You also want to isolate yourself, and earphones and music are a perfect way to escape when you'd rather not be in school or deal with life.
I've got you figured-out buddy-boy. Take the earphones off and listen to your teacher. You can listen to music between classes and after-school.
Running around with tech devices all-day and distracting yourself from your studies and classwork is going to comeback to bite you in the butt. You don't feel or do much of anything different from other kids your age. It's all normal and pretty common.
You had better pay attention in class, Forge!!!
...............................
A
male
reader, olderthandirt  +, writes (23 September 2014):
 Sounds more like you're just a typical teenager trying to get away with breaking the rules without getting caught. Deep breaths, you're there to learn how to function in this world not get away with breaking the rules.Buckle down now so you'll be able to fool around once you graduate.(If you can graduate without the earbuds)
...............................
A
female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (23 September 2014):
 Interesting .You always learn something new on DC. So, are there actually schools where you can wear earphones and listen to your own thing during ( some ) classes ?. Really curious. I can't think of any teacher who would ever tolerate that, or any way you could show more disrespect if you tried hard . And I always thought that Italian high schools were so laid back, as compared to other countries ' !
Anyway, if you have your school's permission , who am I to complain.
Back to your question.
Is it an addiction / is it worrisome ?
Yes and not.
Is it surely a defense mechanism, that keeps you sheltered and apart from what happens around you, from normal interaction, normal communication, normal partecipation to what goes on in daily life. ( I must also say, that , if you live plugged to your earphones 24 / 7 it's SURPRISING that you still have people whom you call your friends. How can you have friends if you are , basically, always unaccessible and unreachable ? )
On the other hand, it must be also an age thing. I have noticed time and again how at 13 /15 most guys and girls tend to be hyperfocused if there's something they like. It's like they all go through an autistic phase. My niece liked horses and horseback riding, for a while that was all she would talk, think and care about- horses. Her sister did the same with manga or cosplay or something.
So, while I would not call it exactly worrisome - I think at some point you'll get naturally cured of your addiction- I also think that in the meantime, you could make a little effort to make some little foray out of your musical world. And diversify your interests. People are interesting too, you know ? Often it's worth listening to what THEY have to say, if nothing else for entertainment value. And not everybody is out to get you , you don't need a permanent shield around you. And, being a quiet guy is fine. It takes all kinds. As for being or feeling awkward, at 15 tell me who isn't.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (23 September 2014): You can be addicted to anything, I was like that at school and I still am at university. I wait all day to listen to music, play it in my breaks, I wake up and put it on, I have it on whenever I can and even go to sleep with my headphones on.
You need to control your need for music. It's something that calms you and relaxes you, so find something else that does the same without being too obvious and without getting into trouble. Most employers won't let you have music on at work, a lot of schools frown on it and you won't be able to get on with your work at uni (if that is your chosen path). You need to find a new love in something less problematic.
I wouldn't say it's an addiction like drugs, it's not that bad, it's not going to harm you, but you need to separate yourself from your music for an allotted amount of time a day and get yourself over it.
...............................
|
