**Trigger warning!** This article contains content about self-harm and depression.

The song "Battle Scars" by Lupe Fiasco and Guy Sebastian has always had a huge impact on my life. I know the song is meant to be a love song, but for me, it held a greater meaning.

I don't really remember where or when I first heard this song; it might've been at a Friday night skating session. But I remember listening to the lyrics and instantly being able to relate it to my life at the moment.

When I first heard this song, I was at a very low point in my life. I was in middle school. I was being bullied, and I was depressed and self-harming.

At that time in my life, I didn't know how I'd get through it. I woke up every day not knowing if I'd be able to handle the next.

Listening to the words, I felt a little less alone. I felt like my thoughts were finally put into words. Yes, this song is a heartbroken love song, but in my mind, I connected it with my situation and started to feel like I'd get through it.

I used to listen to this song over and over again when I was feeling incredibly low, and it would make me feel better. Shortly, whenever it was played at skating, I'd get pumped because, in a way, it was my power song. It made me feel like I could get through my situation like I could cope and I'd eventually be okay again.

Now, I'm in college, and I haven't heard the song in years until the other night. I was having a really bad emotional day, and I was struggling to keep myself up. I listened to the song and I felt all the feelings I felt when I used to listen to this song on repeat. I was able to connect the song to my life in both the same ways I did in middle school and new ways.

My relationship with this song just goes to show that an artist will write a song about what they're going through to try to make themselves feel better and hopefully help others in the same situation, but they don't know how far the message will go. They don't know what other ways their music can impact others. They don't know how it will translate into other people's brains.

I was in a completely different situation than the artist, but I still was able to relate, even years down the line. This song has saved my life.