Maren Morris has taken the country music industry by storm. She has given women yet another strong, female icon to look up in a world where it's harder and harder to tell who's real and who's hiding behind their social media. Maren Morris has always captured my interest since the second I heard "My Church" because she has such a unique voice and produces music that beats against the grain of what's "expected" of female country singers.

Self-love anthems have always been popular, but I feel with the increased awareness we have for our mental health, these anthems are more important now than ever. "GIRL" has been out for three months now, and I just listened to it fully yesterday while working on a final. WOW have I been missing out. I've been going through an extremely rough patch with my mental health, which I've let slip for the worst the last couple months. This song made me realize it's ok to feel the way I have, and that I have the power to pick myself back up again.

I've chosen a few lyrics from this song that really stuck out to me in the hopes that it too inspires anyone else going through a tough time. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so please be aware of how you feel, and let music help get you on your healing journey as it has done for me.

1. "Man, this shit's unflatterin', all up in my head again"

This is the opening line of the song, and it couldn't be more accurate when it comes to the negative thoughts we all have had at some point. This is an ironic statement because so many people are so concerned about their appearance, especially thanks to social media, that something like a negative thought just seems so unflattering when the idea if to look perfect and never show fault. Many of us find ourselves wrapped up in life and don't pay attention to the issues at hand. Being sad and unhappy isn't cute and never will be, and you shouldn't be ashamed to feel the way you feel because you know it doesn't look "cute."

2. "I don't like myself right now, gotta find a way out"

I was at a point where I didn't like myself at all but didn't care enough to do anything about it at the time. Now I have decided that it's time to dig myself out of the hole I've ended up in and do something about how I feel. I want out of the sad, hateful feelings I've had for myself and turn them around into being happy again. One way or another, it's on us as individuals to find a way out, because no one else can do that for us. In my case, I've deleted my dating apps and decided to take a break from talking to guys, because I've found myself spiraling downward in an attempt to have a relationship with people who just want to treat me disposable. These instances have really made me doubt myself as a woman and hate myself for not being good enough. I may not like myself right now, but I'm going to do something about that to change the hate to love once again.

3. "I don't wanna wear your crown, there's enough to go around"

You are the only woman like you! Don't wear a crown just to be like someone else who seems like they have it all because they probably don't. Wear your own crown and shine as only you can. I've fallen into the trap of seeing some super happy couple on Instagram constantly posting about how great their life is and how they're living it up, and that's so unhealthy to see when you're just trying to love yourself by yourself. They probably are nothing close to picture perfect, and neither is that Insta-famous sorority girl going to every single formal this spring. Keep true to you and you'll shine so brightly.

4. "Girl, won't you stop your cryin'? I know that you're tryin'"

Ok, crying helps a lot and there's no shame in that. There is only so much crying we can do though. Maren knows we're trying, and we know we're trying and no one else is allowed to tell us differently. This line is that reassurance I think we all search for when we're going through something and someone validates for us that they can see us trying, whether that's a parent, friend, or even a professor. Acknowledgment goes so far, so definitely take a second to acknowledge yourself too. I feel that this is one of the most powerful lines of the song.

5. "Baby girl, don't you hang your head low. Don't you lose your halo"

Keeping your chin up is easier said than done sometimes when you feel like the weight of all you're going through is just drowning you. It takes such a strong person to keep their head up, so be proud of yourself.

6. "Everyone's gonna be OK, Baby girl"

It's almost like Maren is taking the place of this all-seeing mother figure, who can see that it's rough right now, but it will be ok one day. That's what my mom tells me whenever I'm sad. Everyone going through something is going to be ok, and you will be too. Doing whatever you can to help yourself feel better will help you get better, so set your soul on fire with so much self-love it makes you want to explode (in a good way obviously).

GIRL has given me the hope that I will get through this, and will be happy again. I am important and since there is only one of me, I've got to make every second count, and spread my love for life and this song with as many women as possible. Women are amazing because we're so strong in the face of the hurdles we face. Maren wrote this song for all of us.