In my previous year at school, I found myself in an unfortunate living situation. I was assigned to a room with a set of roommates who were notorious for always making noise. The room was rarely peaceful—there was always some sort of loud conversation, music blaring, or heated arguments, usually about football and music. The constant back-and-forth and petty fights made the environment unbearable at times, and it felt like the last place I should have been.
It didn’t take long before the stress started creeping in. I had headaches several times, and I quickly realized I didn’t have the energy for this level of chaos. But since all the rooms were already occupied, moving out wasn’t an option. I was left with no choice but to figure out a way to stay calm and keep my peace in this loud, hectic space.
Initially, I thought staying away during their fights and arguments would help, but I soon realized I couldn’t avoid them completely. One of the first things I did to find relief was buy a pair of headsets. Over time, they became my sanctuary. With my them plugged in, I could block out the noise and focus on soothing music,that creeated an escape from the madness around me.
I had always found comfort in music, and with the right playlist, I could zone out and feel more like myself. Listening to music helped me focus and stay calm. The songs drowned out their loud conversations and lifted my mood. I leaned toward tracks with smooth rhythms and energetic beats—songs that energized me while keeping me relaxed. Artists like Chris Brown, Fridayy, and Adekunle Gold became my go-to choices during stressful moments. Their music calmed my mind and blocked out the external noise.
I also found solace in movies. Getting lost in a good film kept me entertained and helped me detach from the loud reality of the room. Over time, I gravitated toward romantic movies. There was just something about those “aww” moments, the feel-good emotions, and the simple plots that helped me stay calm. Romantic movies were like a breath of fresh air, that gave me peace and kep me away from the noise or the urge to engage in unnecessary arguments.
Reflecting on my past experiences and the ideas that came to my mind during those chaotic moments, I discovered that writing also brought me joy and helped me stay calm. It was during this time that I began jotting down my thoughts and feelings in my phone notes. Writing became another form of escape; it allowed me to articulate what I was going through and process my emotions more effectively.
What I found through all of this was that having a way to mentally escape was crucial. My roommates weren’t going to change, and I couldn’t control the environment, but I could control how I reacted to it. Music, movies, and writing became my escape routes. They allowed me to find moments of peace even in a space that was far from peaceful. I learned that no matter how loud or chaotic things got, creating a personal space—whether through a playlist, a movie, or written thoughts—can make all the difference in staying calm and centered.
Looking back, I think these little escapes saved me from a lot of frustration. They gave me the ability to tune out what wasn’t important and focus on things that brought me joy. Sometimes, peace isn’t about finding a quiet environment; it’s about creating one for yourself in the middle of chaos.
