Photo: Bust
On repeat.
By Emily Blackwood — Written on Aug 25, 2017
Let's be honest. Sometimes, self-love is hard.
There are days where you stuff your face with McDonald's, double-text that boy you shouldn't and barely have enough time to shower let alone take a luxurious bubble bath.
Enter Lizzo.
Who is Lizzo, you might be asking?
She was born Melissa Jefferson on April 27, 1988 in Houston, Texas. She grew up going to the Pentacostal Church and non-gospel music was considered "the devil". In 2011 she relocated to Minnesota where she was broke, homeless and having the worst year of her life. She has always struggeled with body image prior to then, and told NPR about a revelation she had:
"I think I was, like 21, because that was the worst year of my life thus far: My father passed away, I was homeless, I didn't have any money, my band was doing really badly and I was by myself. I hadn't been eating because I didn't have money, and I was honestly the smallest physically I'd ever been — and still, that was the worst I'd ever felt about myself. And I remember one day being like, 'This is it.' Twenty-some-odd years of me believing that one day I can wake up and be some other girl. It's like, you're not gonna wake up and be bigger or smaller or lighter or darker; your hair's not gonna suddenly grow down past your knees. You're going to look this way for the rest of your life. And you have to be OK with that."
The Minneapolis-based alternative hip-hop artist recently came out with her latest (and possibly greatest) song that will elevate your mood and remind you to take the time for self-love.
“Water Me' brings the beauty and freedom of water and self love to life," Lizzo wrote on Instagram.
"Self care is in the little moments — bathing, sweating, washing your hair.. it's in laughing so hard you can barely catch a breath, your lungs expanding on a morning jog... now more than ever we need to enjoy the quiet within ourselves."
But her new single, "Water Me" isn't the only banger that encourages you to take care of yourself first. The 27-year-old singer delivers songs about everything from race to gender to cannibalism to coconut oil.
Her latest album, "Big Grrrl Small World," reveals Lizzo's personal journey to self-love and security in a way that's equally vulnerable and empowering.
"At the time, I was working a ton, I was on the road, I was in the U.K. eating, like, French fries with gravy," she told Bust in an interview. "People are always rapping about being on the road and being a boss. But I was rapping about being on the road and being exhausted. It’s just how I roll!"
Sometimes when you're down, a good solid eff-you-ima-do-me song is all you need to get your attitude back in check. We've found 7 best Lizzo songs that remind you to love yourself just the way you are.
1. When you're about to skip your morning routine.
"Water Me," is your sassy reminder to make sure you moisturize, drink enough water and all those little moments in life that make us feel at our best. Lizzo knows they're important. Don't forget to take care of you first.
Best Lyrics:
"I don't get dehydrated/ I moisturize it daily/ I am my inspiration/ I am my inspiration."
2. When you're losing your mind comparing yourself to other girls on Instagram.
Lizzo knows as well as you how easy it is to get caught up in the rat race. When you're overwhelmed feeling like you're never doing enough (how many side hustles can one person have?), sometimes all you need to do is take a step back and breathe.
Best Lyrics:
"I thought I needed to run and find somebody to love/ But all I needed was some coconut oil/ Don't worry 'bout the small things, I know I can do all things/ Mama always told me it would be alright."
3. When that boy isn't texting you back.
It's so easy to get caught up in the "why doesn't he like me" saga of modern love. With everyone swiping right and sliding into stranger's DMs, rejection is more elusive and frequent than ever before. Instead of losing your mind over some lame boy, listen to Lizzo's musical pep talk instead.
Best Lyrics:
"Come now, come dry your eyes/ You know you a star, you can touch the sky/ I know that it's hard but you have to try/ If you need advice, let me simplify/ If he don't love you anymore/ Just walk your fine ass out the door."
4. When your skinny jeans are too snug.
We all have days where we don't like what we see in the mirror. For me, those days come after I've eaten an entire box of Cheez-Its. So when you're feelin' a little shitty about the way you look, turn this anthem up loud. Like, real loud.
Best Lyrics:
"I pocket subpoenas, I swallow my pride and my ego/ I wear my flaws on my sleeve and my skin like a peacoat/ I see someone like me ashamed to be/ And honestly, I'm really really/ I'm fed up wit' it, try to send it up like a FedEx/ I'm wondering what they sayin' next/ Can't pretend to not hear it/ It's your beauty, they can't have it/ It's yours, they can't have it."
5. When you have to go out and you really need to start feelin' yourself.
Attempting to be social when you're not feeling yourself is the worst. But sometimes it's your bestie's birthday and you gotta suck it up and have a good time. This jam is pretty much guaranteed to get you back in a good mood.
Best Lyrics:
"Look up in the mirror, oh my God, it's me/ So much Prada on me, I'm a Pradagy/ I'ma do my thing, no apologies/ Coconut and rose in my skin regime."
6. When loving yourself is really hard.
If you go a few days without doing something lovely just for yourself, it's easy to feel off. But Lizzo is has a beautiful reminder that self-love is a journey — and it's not always a pretty one.
Best Lyrics:
"What you know, what you know/ What you know about falling in love with yourself?/ Every day looking in the mirror/ Think I found the proof for my health or my wealth."
7. When you're tired of men not worshipping you.
Modern dating can make anyone sour of love. If you feel like settling, listen to Lizzo's wise words and remember that you deserve a man who thinks the world of you.
Best Lyrics:
"Woo, I'm lit, don't mess with it/ Woo, stand back, let me do my shit/ Woo, I'm lit, don't mess with it."
Emily Blackwood is an editor at YourTango who covers pop culture, dating, relationships and everything in between. You can follow her on Instagram (@blackw00d) and Twitter (@emztweetz).