I spent a lot of time writing this summer.

Sometime in June I remember telling my therapist, “I don’t really know how I’m going to get this done,” (relaying the amount of articles I had a hand in for the Journal), and she suggested that I go for a hike—literally.

So I did. I spent a long morning walking through Griffith Park, mapping out article structures and finding my way through the stories I was sifting through in my consciousness.

And then I sat down at my computer.

Every writer has their trinkets—mine are The Fantome candle by Boy Smells, an iced almond milk latte from MARU (my summer beverage of choice), some crystals I bought in Woodstock, and a tall glass of water nearby. And then in the evenings, it’s usually hot peppermint tea and some sort of funky chilled red wine.

But more than anything, the element that helps me sink into that creative, goopy space is music. As much as I’m a lyricist at heart, it’s hard for me to write my own words when other words are trailing along beside me sonically, which is why I most often have movie soundtracks going when I’m actively writing. If I’m editing or giving an overall glance-over for vibe and feel, I’ll weave in some actual songs—so that’s why you’ll see a mix here. These are the songs that not only kept me company for the hours on hours of writing, editing, compiling, but also energetically made their way through the pages.

It’s wild knowing that the thing we’ve been making for most of this year is almost ready for you. As much as I love a final product, I have a soft spot for process. So for all of my fellow process-lovers out there: eat your hearts out, and happy listening. Hope this playlist might be a fun companion to you and whatever you’re out there making, too.