Finding Calm Through Music: My Journey with Guitar

Mindfulness Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Mindfulness is everywhere these days. But if you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, stress, or a racing mind, just sitting still and watching your thoughts pass doesn’t always work. I needed something physical, something musical. Something that would help me focus without shutting down completely. Guitar gave me that. It doesn’t need to be expensive. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Heck, it doesn’t even need to be a full chord—sometimes one note is enough.

How It All Started

When I first got my guitar, a priest gave it to me. I was a young college student going through some heavy stuff. I didn’t know how to play a chord—my fingers didn’t even comprehend the idea. But I could play a single note. That note was enough to get me to the next step. Slowly, that note became a chord. Then another chord. Two chords—D and C—without me even realizing it, became my first meditation.

Using Guitar as a Meditation Tool

What I was doing, without even knowing it at first, was combining simple chords with mindful breathing. If you struggle to breathe naturally when stressed, this is your shortcut. For a long time, I would clench my shoulders without even realizing it. I’d wonder why I couldn’t catch my breath. Strumming a few basic chords while paying attention to my breath helped me regain rhythm—and control. It’s not magic. It’s music, repetition, rhythm—and real, tangible healing.

Stories That Show It Works

I’ve seen this work for others, too:

• A dad in recovery told me that just 10 minutes of this practice brought him back to calm.

• Another guy appreciated my “chill vibe,” not realizing I wasn’t always this chill myself.

  
  

This practice works. It’s simple, accessible, and it fills the emptiness I used to feel—a theme I explore in my book, Hollow.

How to Start

You don’t need complicated theory. Start simple:

1. Grab two chords—D and C.

2. Let your hands move naturally.

3. Use your thumb as a pick.

4. Focus on your breathing—inhale, then let the exhale happen naturally.

   
   

You can add a picking pattern if you want, using your thumb and index finger to create a circular motion. Play around. There’s no need for perfection—just rhythm, flow, and presence.

Taking It Further: Triads

For those ready to go a bit deeper, I want to introduce triads. Triads are three-note chords that can elevate your practice:

• Start on the 12th fret.

• Move your fingers to create D and C triads.

• Add your pinky for a fuller sound.

  
  

These are more advanced, but even just listening to them and practicing slowly can provide relief. If you want a detailed breakdown of these triads, leave a comment—I’ll make a full video showing exactly how to do them.

Closing Thoughts

Guitar gave me more than music—it gave me a way to manage stress, anxiety, and trauma in a way that feels natural and grounding. You don’t need a perfect instrument, fancy chords, or years of experience. Just pick up a note, a chord, and start breathing with it.

Give it a try. Close your eyes, listen, and let the music guide you back to calm.

Thanks for hanging out here today and doing your best to make this a better place for all of us.

~Jake