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I’ve been thinking (and writing) a lot about endings recently.

It’s partially because I’m dealing with a few endings in my own life, and partially because endings have always been a sore subject for me.

I like certainty and stability and knowing that I can trust what’s working in my life to continue working.

But I also know that’s not realistic.

The world is full of all kinds of endings, all kinds of goodbyes.

There are the ones that catch us by surprise. The ones we have time to plan for. The ones we initiate. The ones that begin with someone else. The ones that are permanent. The ones that feel permanent but aren’t.

The ones that leave us gasping for air. The ones that allow us to finally take a deep breath. The ones that make us retreat within to reevaluate our lives. The ones that open doors we’ve been longing to walk through.

The ones that turn our world upside down. The ones that put our life into focus. The ones that leave us angry or desperate or reeling. The ones that leave us grateful or relieved or free. The ones that leave us hurting or broken or sad.

And lucky for us, there are a million ways to heal from these endings. A million ways to get through all the goodbyes we’re destined to face.

But my favorite is music.

Last week, I asked our readers: What’s the most healing song to listen to when you’re dealing with a breakup or a goodbye?

Honestly (and this is probably based on where my heart was when I asked this question), I was expecting a playlist full of the saddest, most depressing, sit-in-the-corner-of-your-bedroom-and-sob songs.

But there were so many upbeat, empowering tunes mixed in among the tearjerkers, and I was reminded that while it’s important to feel the sadness that comes with goodbyes, it’s equally as important to allow ourselves to feel the joy and excitement and anticipation of everything these goodbyes could potentially bring to our lives. Even if the only positive is showing us that we can get through this.

No matter what kind of goodbye you’re dealing with, let these songs heal you—even if it’s just until the final chords play:

“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles

“I’m Still Standing” by Elton John

“That’s It, I Quit, I’m Moving On” by Adele (Sam Cooke cover)

“Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley

“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten

“Need You Now” by Lady A

“No More Drama” by Mary J. Blige

“Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves

“The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World

“I’ve Been Loving You” by Otis Redding

“Brave” by Sara Bareilles

“Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake

“Flowers” by Lauren Spencer-Smith

“Unstoppable” by Sia

“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac

“And So It Goes” by Billy Joel

“Better in Time” by Leona Lewis

“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day

“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

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