Some days I feel confident, beautiful, strong, and happy. Some days, I feel small, insecure, weak, and judge myself for everything I am not.
One of the most important lessons I've learned is that until we are able to forgive ourselves for everything we are NOT, we will never be able to accept and love ourselves for everything that we ARE. Journaling about what standards or expectations I have for myself, how I do not live up to them, and the resulting shame that comes from that judgement is a good place to start. But maybe while you do that, listen to some of these songs that remind you that YOU ARE WORTHY, JUST AS YOU ARE.
These songs help give me a little boost of confidence when I need the extra help, and I hope they can offer you the same!
1. I Am Here - P!nk
I am here, I am here I've already seen the bottom, so there's nothing to fear
2. This Is Me - Keala Settle
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out
This is brave, this is bruised
This is who I'm meant to be, this is me
....
I'm not scared to be seen I make no apologies, this is me
Just let those words sink in for a second. I get chills every time.
3. Back In My Body - Maggie Rogers
This time I know I’m fighting This time I know I’m back in my body
4. Unstoppable - Sia
I put my armor on, show you how strong how I am I put my armor on, I'll show you that I am
I'm unstoppable
5. Brave - Sara Bareilles
You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Be brave. Don't let other people tell you who you are or who you are meant to be. Do the brave thing and accept yourself for all that you are.
6. Video - India.Arie
I'm not the average girl from your video And I ain't built like a supermodel But, I learned to love myself unconditionally Because I am a queen I'm not the average girl from your video My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
Oof. Sing that again for the people in the back!!
7. Scars To Your Beautiful - Alessia Cara
But there's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
8. Who You Are - Jessie J
Don't lose who you are, in the blur of the stars
Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing,
It's okay not to be okay
....
There's nothing wrong with who you are
9. Perfect To Me - Anne Marie
Love every single part of my body Top to the bottom I'm not a supermodel from a magazine I'm okay with not being perfect
'Cause that's perfect to me
10. I Am The King - James Meyers
A very different vibe, but this bass-filled, head-throwing song that slaps does WONDERS for my self confidence. There's nothing like hearing "I am the king" on repeat for 4.5 minutes.
These are my top 10 favorite, self-love, empowering songs that give me the extra boost of confidence just when I need it. Yes they are poppy, yes they can be cheesy, but I love them because of the message behind the lyrics.
Here are more resources with more empowering, self-love songs and/or messages:
Empowering Self Love Songs by @sjkozak
18 Empowering Songs About Body Positivity, Body Image, Confidence and Self-Love by Jennifer Nini
The Greatest Showman (movie)
"Jackman plays 19th century PT Barnum in a crowd-pleasing if middle-of-the-road film that paints the circus impresario as a body-positive evangelist for diversity" - The Guardian
Amber Rae's Wonder Journal
"LIVE AUTHENTICALLY & COURAGEOUSLY Who you are is not who you learned to be. The Wonder Journal will guide you to explore the myths that stifle your potential and power. Unlearn these stories on the page, so that you can walk authentically and courageously through an ever-changing world."