I think the question is best answered by reversing it. Why do you choose to listen to music?

Now don't get me wrong I listen to a ton of stuff. I have an mp3 player for air travel and I listen to all kinds of things in my car and for my whole shift at a manufacturing job I used to have.

But out on the street, on a bike or on the trails I never have any music on. From a practical standpoint it's simply safer to be aware of what's going on, but that's not the point for me.

I use that time to just let my mind wander and internalize info I learned that day or to look back on things that happened recently. That boredom is soon replaced with thoughts and daydreams and feelings and memories. And it's nice to see my part of the world as it is, without any filter and seeing how places and people change day by day.

It feels like satire to actually say you cannot imagine life without constantly listening to music. Is it satire?

I actually pay attention to my environment? I don't walk onto a busy road without looking?

Enjoy the world around me. Using the extra sensory input to avoid being run over by cars.

Sorry OP, you got downvoted in so many comments, some of which I thought was undeserved, but some of it is deserved. You asked a question, but came off as wanting to prove everyone else who doesn't listen to music is crazy. Everyone is different, you do you. I think it's very important to train brain to be content without any stimulation and therefore, I think, I play music in my brain, I plan rest of my day or next day, and most of all I introspect when I'm walking around.

And my life isn't even complicated and I find tons of things to Introspect, so hard for me to imagine people get bored with introspection, but you do you. If boredom is such a massive problem for you because of ADHD, perhaps carry a power bank.

I look at and listen to what's going on around me, and think about what I see and hear.

Why would you choose to do that?

I'm easily distracted and am usually occupied with my own thoughts. So, not hearing traffic, other people, and my general surroundings is actually stressful for me; relying on vision alone would be dangerous. I do a lot better keeping my ears open so I can relax, muse about this or that in my head, and let any sudden sounds or irregularities in my environment catch my attention.

Edit: By musing, I'm actively problem-solving fix-it situations in my house, thinking about software projects I have going, exercising mindfulness for better mental heath, self-assessing where my body aches/hurts, building fictional narratives for D&D, and so on. It's seldom idle time up in here.

Outside with other people is a dangerous place. Environmental awareness is needed. You'll need your eyes and ears to sense danger.

I don't even listen to music on a regular basis when I'm inside. It's more something I would do actively from time to time, say a couple of times per month.

Just birds chirping, wind blowing, leaves rustling

To me that just sounds kinda nice

I never listen to music. When I'm running errands, I listen to the birds and the wind. I watch the leaves change colors. I chat with people I know by sight. I stop by stores I don't need anything from just to chat with the owners. I meet friends doing their shopping and we decide to go to see a play next weekend. I sit down at a terrasse to have coffee with my kid's former piano teacher. Think the movie Amelie, but in small-town France instead of Paris. I love my life.

Did you write this post deliberately to trigger us? Some examples; The phone died when it should have 7% left, spilling soup at a store, smelly euro village and of course the main question.

This reads like satire but I assume you're being serious.

I'm not really doing anything instead. I'm listening in both cases - only the what I'm listening to changes. Listening to music - or podcasts in my case - is a bit of an distraction. I don't want to be distracted all the time. I'm more present when I'm listening to the world instead, and it gives more space for my thoughts. I never even have the radio on in my car because to me, driving is almost a meditative experience and I like to just sit there in relative silence and focus on the driving itself. I'm stimulated one way or another for the vast majority of the day anyway. I think it's good to have these intentional moments built into your daily routine where you let yourself be bored. It's good for you.

Are you trolling us?

If not, try getting into meditation, so you can learn to appreciate the moment for what it is, rather than seek constant stimulation.

Technology is ruining humanity, no wonder so many people are lonely and depressed.

I like music, love music, keep it on in the house and car but do not like headphones and wouldn't dare use them on a walk or run because I'd get run over by a car.

I like the sound of the city, the birds singing, the crows cawing, kids yelling, even the distant sirens and LOVE the distant music of parties, so much. Cars going by with music. Incidental sound is engaging IMO not boring.

/boggle

I don’t require constant stimulation.

Don’t tell this person about the times before the ubiquity of iPods (and later, phones).

OP, might I suggest a “music” detox? Spend a month without the need for headphone delivered dopamine.

Weird how you're getting shit on for asking a question in "no stupid questions." Fucking NT people acting high and mighty.