Whenever I listen to certain songs, I get this vivid image in my mind of walking around San Francisco. In the vision, I’m walking down the street during golden hour, when the sun is setting, and everything looks warm and glowing. I have my hands in my pockets and wear wired earbuds with a warm scarf tied around my neck to keep me warm and cozy. Even though people are around me, the whole moment feels calm and peaceful. It isn’t loud or exciting; it’s quiet, and quiet is how I want it. The plants look greener than usual, the air feels fresh, and the sidewalk is clean with brown leaves scattered on the ground. As the sun goes down, the city starts to glow as the buildings and shops light up, and for a moment, the lights are the only thing I can focus on. The entire scene feels relaxing and almost magical. I don’t fully know why the image sticks with me, but it has always felt familiar.

This essay is about that recurring vision and why it appears when I hear certain songs. The image is important to me because it represents a future I hope to have, a life where I feel calm, independent, and surrounded by a city I love. It also serves as a safe place in my mind, something I can return to whenever I need comfort, motivation, or a sense of direction.

One reason I might mentally exercise this vision is because of the Reticular Activating System (RAS). The RAS is the part of the brain that filters information and helps us focus on what matters to us. When someone strongly values a goal or a dream, the RAS becomes trained to notice anything connected to it. Since the vision of me walking in San Francisco is tied to something I deeply want, my brain may bring it up when music triggers strong emotions.

 I don’t consciously choose to think about it; it just seems to appear. That tells me it’s meaningful. If it weren’t important to me, it wouldn’t keep returning in such a vivid way. 

Another explanation is the idea of a self-fulfilling prophecy. This theory suggests that when people believe something will happen, they start doing things or taking action in ways that make it more likely. By repeatedly imagining myself in this peaceful city life, I may be strengthening my belief that it’s possible. That belief makes me feel hopeful rather than anxious, and it motivates me to work towards that future. The city in my vision represents success without constant pressure, which is something I want deeply, even if I’m still figuring out exactly how to get there.

Mental rehearsal may also play a role. Mental rehearsal happens when we imagine something so clearly that our brains treat it almost like practice. Athletes and performers use this technique to prepare themselves, and in a similar way, my vision may be preparing me for the life I want. The details matter–the scarf, the lights, and the quiet feeling–because they make the future feel real and achievable instead of distant or vague. To me, the city represents independence and confidence, and imagining myself there makes those qualities feel possible.

Finally, Expectancy Theory explains why this visualization is motivational rather than distracting. When I picture myself walking through the city, it strengthens my belief that the goal is attainable and reminds me why it matters. The emotional connection I feel encourages me to keep working towards the future. All of these theories–RAS, self-fulfilling prophecy, mental rehearsal, and expectancy theory–help explain why this image appears alongside certain songs. It isn’t just a random daydream. It’s my mind connecting music, emotions, memories, and future goals and aspirations all at once.

Through reflecting on this vision, I’ve realized that my brain isn’t just showing me this image for no reason. It’s reminding me of what I want and who I hope to become. Visualization is powerful, and the things we repeatedly imagine can shape what we believe and what we strive for. This recurring image isn’t just a dream but rather a reflection of the calm, confident life I’m working towards, even if I haven’t reached it yet.