From Country Roads to Kensington Market
In our Uber from the hotel to Kensington Market, I swear my ears were bleeding. The driver was blasting country music and—listen—I know this might be sacrilege coming from a Midwestern girl, but I cannot with country. I know, I know. I’m supposed to have a soft spot for it, maybe even know the lyrics to a few Morgan Wallen songs, but I just don’t. To me, it sounds like emotional wallowing with a twang. Nails. On. A. Chalkboard. It’s giving: “She left me, my truck broke down, and now I cry into my Coors Light.”
So here I am, stuck in the front seat (motion sickness is real), passing what I later found out is the second-largest Chinatown outside of San Francisco, and country music is still yodeling its way into my eardrums. The driver’s taste in music and the vibrant, urban hum of Toronto were not vibing. At all. But then, sweet salvation: Kensington Market.
The moment I stepped out of the Uber, I felt it—a shift in energy. One store blasted Rastafarian beats, while another pulsed with trap music that made the sidewalk vibrate. Finally, relief. Music I could vibe with. Music that didn’t make me want to crawl out of my own skin. We wandered up and down the colorful, chaotic streets, slipping into vintage shops and grabbing a matcha from some spot that apparently went viral on TikTok. Or so I was told—I wouldn’t know. I don’t do TikTok.
I snagged the cutest patchwork brown dress—the kind that practically begs to be worn with knee-high boots come October. Just down the street, I spotted a magic mushroom shop nestled right next to a cannabis dispensary. Honestly, in this city, you could throw a rock and hit one. The air was thick with the unmistakable scent of weed. And if I didn’t know better I would think I was in Denver, CO. Similar smells.
But let’s go back to the music for a sec.
That Uber ride reminded me of something I tell my clients all the time: music is frequency. It’s not just background noise—it literally affects our energy. It either matches our vibe or pulls us into a different one. That’s why I can’t hang with sad girl music for long. Sure, I’ll throw on some Lana when I want to sink into my feelings for a hot second. One or two tracks max. But after that? I’m changing the channel. Lingering in low vibration tunes just doesn’t serve me.
When my clients are going through a breakup or are in a “why am I like this” moment, I tell them: curate the energy you want to feel. Start with your playlist. Create your “bad bitch” soundtrack. Hype yourself up. Manifest your bounce-back story with lyrics that uplift and inspire.
For me, when I need to lock in and get things done? It’s rap. All day. Hustle music. If I’m feeling nostalgic, I’ll throw on some 90s alternative. And if I’m just trying to coast through life feeling dreamy and expansive? Tame Impala is always a good idea. Throw in some Yacht Rock for good measure.
Our moods are magnetic. And music is one of the easiest ways to raise or lower our frequency. So why not choose intentionally? We all have our musical safe spaces—but the real magic happens when we realize we can shift how we feel with the press of a button. Or a swipe on Spotify.
So, no offense to the cowboys out there—but I’ll be over here, vibing to beats that make me feel like I’ve already won.
To the music matching the vibes,
LC
Vibe with Me LC 