Song I Remember When I Lost My Mind

Okay, let's be honest. We all have that one song. The one that, for whatever reason, burrows itself into your brain and sets up permanent residence. For me, that song is "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves. It's pure, unadulterated, joyful chaos – a musical ray of sunshine even on the gloomiest day.

But here's the kicker: my relationship with this bouncy, optimistic tune is inextricably linked to a period of… well, let's just say my brain decided to take an unscheduled vacation.

The Breakdown (Musical Edition)

It was a rough patch. Think all-nighters fuelled by coffee, stress levels that could rival a rocket launch, and a general feeling of being utterly, completely, and irrevocably overwhelmed. Sleep? What's sleep? Food? Mostly caffeine and the occasional rogue granola bar.

Then, it started. The song. Everywhere. In my head. On the radio. Even the elevator music seemed to be mocking me with its relentlessly cheerful vibe. It was an earworm on steroids, a sonic parasite refusing to be evicted.

Sunshine Overload

I couldn't escape it. Grocery store? "Walking on Sunshine." Waiting on hold? "Walking on Sunshine." Trying to fall asleep at 3 AM after another grueling study session? You guessed it: "Walking on Sunshine" serenading me from the depths of my sleep-deprived consciousness.

At first, it was annoying. Then, it became… strangely comforting. In my frazzled state, that ridiculously upbeat melody was like a tiny, yellow life raft in a sea of academic despair. I started humming it absentmindedly, tapping my foot to the rhythm, and even (shudder) singing along.

I’d find myself staring blankly at my textbook, only to realize I was mentally choreographing a dance routine to "Walking on Sunshine." My brain had officially short-circuited.

Finding Sanity (With a Side of Sunshine)

The good news is, I eventually pulled myself out of the mental mire. Sleep was rediscovered. Coffee consumption was (slightly) reduced. And my sanity, albeit slightly sun-baked, returned.

But here's the thing: even now, years later, hearing "Walking on Sunshine" doesn't fill me with dread. Instead, it brings a weirdly fond, slightly embarrassed smile to my face.

It's a reminder of a crazy time, a period when my brain was basically running on fumes and sugary pop songs. It's a soundtrack to a mental meltdown, sure, but also a quirky testament to resilience. Maybe that catchy tune helped me more than I realized.

Lessons Learned (And Sung)

Now, when I hear Katrina & The Waves, I don't just hear a catchy song. I hear a story of surviving stress, embracing the absurd, and finding a sliver of sunshine even in the darkest of mental clouds.

It's a reminder to not take myself too seriously, to embrace the silliness, and to remember that sometimes, the best way to deal with a mental breakdown is to just… dance (even if only in your head).

So, the next time you hear "Walking on Sunshine," think of me. Think of the sleep-deprived student, the frazzled brain, and the unexpected power of a ridiculously catchy pop song to pull you through. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself walking on sunshine too.