Ariana Grande's new hit single, "thank u, next", has everyone raving. The meaning behind the song is her gratitude for her exes because they taught her life lessons. Within the past 18 months, she has gone through 22 people dying at a terrorist attack at her concert, being blamed for Mac Miller's death, and a failed engagement with Pete Davidson. Despite all of that happening to her, she stays strong.
Personally, I am not a big Ariana Grande fan (GASP!). However, lately, her songs have resonated with me and empowered me, especially her song "thank u, next". That song was honestly reassuring to hear. I could relate to the song. Moreover, I commend her strength to keep her composure and admit her vulnerabilities in the public eye.
Listening to her song made me reflect on my dating experience, which entails one long-term relationship and boys who did not want anything serious. I had a unique experience with each person, which lead to life lessons I will forever cherish. I will apply what I learned with future relationships, romantic and friendship. Here are some of the lessons her song taught me. You will probably recognize these lessons in the song.
1. One taught me love
Love should be easy. You should not force yourself to fall in love with someone. You cannot force yourself to stay in a situation if your gut feeling is telling you otherwise. Listen to your gut feeling because it is always right. With love, there is passion. When you are passionate about something, you will put your all into it. If you aren't passionate about the person you are with, then you are not doing anyone justice. Just listen to your heart.
2. One taught me patience
Being in a relationship takes a lot of patience. You must be considerate of the person. You must be understanding of the other person. You both must treat each other with respect. It is normal to get into arguments with your significant other, but communication is key. Communicate any misunderstandings that arise. This will take some time, hence where the patience comes in.
3. One taught me pain
Ending a relationship is essentially ending a routine. No matter how much you love the person, ending the relationship is always a bittersweet moment. Both people in the relationship will feel pain. Breaking up with someone is the worst but in some cases, it is what is best for both people, especially if it was a toxic relationship. As cliché as it sounds, pain is temporary. I did not understand what this meant until I experienced this myself. With time and healthy coping mechanisms, I could heal properly and forgive myself and the other person.
4. One taught me to be "treated like a princess"
ALWAYS be transparent with your wants and needs. Transparency is essential when defining the relationship and setting expectations. You should never settle for someone who does not meet your expectations. That is a complete waste of time and you deserve the best. Find someone who understands your love language and your standards--you're a princess. Better yet: YOU ARE A QUEEN.
5. One taught me self-care
It is inevitable for one to always be there for their significant other, especially when they are in love. It's ideal to always be there for others, such as family, friends, and your significant other. Consequently, it is possible to neglect your self-care. Remember to take care of yourself and love yourself. How can you love someone when you can't even love yourself?
What this song has taught me overall is to be appreciative of experiences for we can learn from our experiences. We cannot hold a grudge. Instead, be mature about the past situations and learn from them. People enter and leave your life for a reason.
thank u, next.
