5. I Don't Care by Ariana Grande
In this slowed down R&B vibe record from her sophomore album 'Dangerous Woman', Grande sings about not caring what others think of her anymore. "Used to let some people tell me how to live and what to be, but if I can't be me then f**ks the point" she belts. The song teaches the importance of being okay with making decisions for yourself, without caring about what anybody thinks. An important step for those of us still trying to fully love ourselves.
4. Happy by Marina and the Diamonds
My junior year of high school, after a seven-hour school day and a six-hour drama rehearsal, I was feeling super down on myself in the worst possible way. I got to my room, pressed shuffle on my phone, and immediately started balling my eyes out as this began to play. "So now you know, you know it all, that I've been desperately alone". As the song ended, I wiped my tears and felt insanely better. That song helped me cope through the bad times when I didn't love myself.
3. Home by Diana Ross (From 'The Wiz')
In 2015, when NBC presented 'The Wiz: Live' I was introduced to the song 'Home', a song about discovering where you belong and where or who your home is. In The Wiz, the character of Dorothy leaves searching for home, only to find that she had known all along where her home was. "Living here in this brand new world might be a fantasy. But it taught me to love, so it's real, it's so real to me"
2. Unbreakable Smile by Tori Kelly
I knew from the moment this song was released that it would become a song that helped me see the good when I can only see the bad. Kelly sings about knowing exactly who she is and knowing what her morals are, while exclaiming that no matter what opportunities she is presented with, she will never lose who she is. "La da da da di, you're not breaking me, la di da da da, ain't got time for ya, la da da da di, you're not breaking me, la di da da da, got an unbreakable smile"
1. Love Myself by Hailee Steinfeld
Of course, number one on the list is the ultimate song about loving yourself, and not needing anyone to validate who you are. Steinfeld's debut single hit the radio in a big way, and ultimately restarted the 'love yourself' brand.
