How One Musician Turned His Mental Health Struggle Into a Mindful Music Practice

Evelyn Reed · 2026-10-16

When Thaddaeus Washington first picked up a guitar, he was just a kid from Toledo trying to quiet the noise in his head. Anxiety and depression had been constant companions, and traditional meditation felt impossible—sitting still only made the thoughts louder. Then he discovered something unexpected: when he played, the noise faded. That discovery set him on a path that would eventually become his life's work. Today, Thadd is the founder of MIND Music and Mindful's October Teacher of the Month. But his journey wasn't a straight line. It was messy, full of detours, and honestly, that's what makes it worth sharing. ### The Turning Point: When Music Became Medicine In his early twenties, Thadd hit a wall. Years of untreated anxiety had taken a toll on his relationships and his sense of self. A friend suggested meditation, but he couldn't sit still for more than two minutes. So he tried something different: he brought his guitar to the cushion. Instead of fighting the thoughts, he played. He'd strum a single chord and listen to it fade. Then another. The act of focusing on sound became his anchor. "I realized I'd been meditating all along," he says. "I just needed to do it my way." That simple shift—from forcing stillness to embracing sound—changed everything. He began composing short pieces specifically for meditation, each one designed to guide the listener into a calm, focused state. ### Building a Practice That Sticks Thadd's approach isn't about perfection. It's about showing up, even when you don't feel like it. Here's what he's learned along the way: - **Start where you are.** If sitting still feels impossible, try walking meditation or mindful movement. The goal is presence, not a specific posture. - **Use sound as an anchor.** A single note, a chime, or even the hum of a fan can be your focal point. When your mind wanders, gently return to the sound. - **Keep it short.** Five minutes of genuine attention beats thirty minutes of distracted sitting. Consistency matters more than duration. - **Let go of expectations.** Some days will feel peaceful; others won't. Both are part of the practice. > "Mindfulness isn't about emptying your mind. It's about noticing what's there without getting swept away." — Thaddaeus Washington ### What MIND Music Offers Through MIND Music, Thadd creates original compositions that blend ambient textures with gentle melodies. Each piece is crafted to support meditation, relaxation, or simply a moment of calm in a busy day. He also leads workshops in the Toledo area, teaching others how to use music as a tool for emotional regulation. His work has resonated with people who struggle with traditional meditation—those who find silence deafening or who need a more active approach. "I want people to know that there's no one right way to be mindful," he says. "If music speaks to you, use it." ### Your Invitation to Begin Thadd's story is a reminder that mindfulness doesn't require a retreat or a perfect cushion. It can start with something as simple as a chord, a breath, or a walk around the block. The key is to find what grounds you and return to it, again and again. So if you've ever felt like meditation wasn't for you, take a page from Thadd's book. Put on a song. Close your eyes. Listen. That might be all you need to begin.