Bella Dyosa

If you’re a recovering perfectionist (like me), welcome! This playlist is for you.

There comes a point in our lives when we realize that perfection is a myth. And that we’re not meant to be perfect. As human beings, our life is a big ass learning experience.

You will make mistakes. You will fumble. You will fall. But it is not that fall that defines you.

As Lionel Boch from Maid in Manhattan (2002) says, “What defines us is how well we rise after falling.”

So, if you’re having one of those days where you’re hard on yourself for not being that picture-perfect being for everyone else (perhaps even just yourself), here are 15 songs I recommend listening to for owning your humanness.

1. My Mind & Me by Selena Gomez

My mind and me, we don’t get along sometimes
And it gets hard to breathe, but I wouldn’t change my life
And all of the crashin’ and burnin’ and breakin’, I know now
If somebody sees me like this, then they won’t feel alone now
My mind and me

Overthinking can kill your happiness. We can get lost in our head sometimes, with all sorts of thoughts and narratives that aren’t even true.

My Mind & Me reminds us that yes, there will be moments where we don’t get along with our mind, but that is normal and a part of being human. What’s important is you’re doing your best to cope with it.

Also, we are not alone in that struggle just like Selena. She released this song along with her documentary of the same name, which is definitely worth checking out.

2. Bitch by Meredith Brooks

I’m a bitch, I’m a lover
I’m a child, I’m a mother
I’m a sinner, I’m a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I’m your Hell, I’m your dream
I’m nothing in between
You know you wouldn’t want it any other way

A classic song from the 90s, Bitch talks about our duality as human beings. For women especially, it’s easy to get caught in a double-edged sword.

As Gloria from Barbie (2023) says in her monologue, “It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong.”

She goes on to enumerate more paradoxes of expectations on women and I personally think similar to that, Bitch is a song that allows you to unapologetically own every side of yourself.

3. Still Have Me by Demi Lovato

I’m a mess and I’m still broken
But I’m finding my way back
And it feels like someone’s stolen
All the light I ever had

Still Have Me is a good song to listen to when you’re feeling all the feels and you’ve (temporarily) hit rock-bottom. We just be going through It™️ sometimes and that’s okay.

Sometimes you have to sit in the shit and let the storm pass. More importantly, know that you always have yourself to count on no matter what.

As Demi says, “I don’t have much but at least I still have me”.

4. Innocent by Taylor Swift

It’s okay, life is a tough crowd
32 and still growin’ up now
Who you are is not what you did
You’re still an innocent

Obviously the background story of this song did not age well. But the message of Innocent really hits different the older you get.

Because there seems to be a subconscious expectation that the older you are, the less mistakes you’re supposed to make. That you should be a standard squeaky clean citizen or role model of society. That you should know better. You’ve lived longer, you’ve learned all the lessons.

The truth of the matter is though, we are leading different paths and while some wisdom may come with age, for most, it comes with experience. A young person can go through so much in a span of few years and an older person can have limited knowledge about the world, believe it or not.

Innocent reminds us that we are always learning however old we are. And it’s okay to stumble or lose your balance, because “it’s never too late to get it back”.

5. Pretty Hurts by Beyoncé

Pretty hurts
We shine the light on whatever’s worst
Perfection is a disease of a nation
Pretty hurts, pretty hurts

Another great anthem for women across the globe, Pretty Hurts calls out unrealistic beauty standards and how we tend to fixate on looks as a society.

We are made to believe that the more aesthetically pleasing or perfect we look, the higher our value is. This song is here and I am here to tell you: bitch, no. It’s the goodness and purity of your soul and your heart that counts.

Yes, it’s great to also take care yourself and how you present yourself physically, but make sure you’re doing it because it makes you happy and serves you in the long-run. No one else.

6. Breathe by Lee Hi

It’s alright if you run out of breath
No one will blame you
It’s okay to make mistakes sometimes
Because anyone can do so

My go-to comfort song since its release, Breathe tells you to do just that: breathe.

I know it’s in Korean, but the melody itself is absolutely beautiful and soothing. So even if you don’t understand the language, I guarantee that you’ll feel comforted by it on some level.

Breathe also reminds us that it’s okay to go at our own pace. We are not made to experience life at 100% every single day. Know that you are doing the best that you can with the body and mind that you have for this particular moment.

7. Shake It Out by Florence + the Machine

And I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I’m gonna cut it out and then restart
‘Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It’s always darkest before the dawn

2011. What a time, amirite?

Shake It Out doesn’t sound like a deep song until you look into the lyrics. It gives such an empowering message about overcoming your inner demons. Because we all have them and truly, “it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back”. So, shake them off!

The song also tells us that times can get dark and difficult, but there will always be a new beginning to look forward to in the horizon. After all, life has its ups and downs, its challenges and triumphs, and we learn how to roll with them.

8. Learn to Let Go by Kesha

I know I’m always like
Telling everybody, “You don’t gotta be a victim”
Life ain’t always fair, but hell is living in resentment
Choose redemption, your happy ending’s up to you

Speaking of the early 2010s, here’s another iconic singer from that era.

Learn to Let Go was released after the controversy with a certain man (I’d rather not summon any bad juju by dropping his name) and talks about Kesha’s journey of overcoming the trauma from that.

Through this song, you can feel her vulnerability and struggle. Telling us that the weight of our past and being a victim of it can only be carried to a certain extent. There comes a point where it bogs us down and completely defines us in the worst way.

So, the best thing we can do for ourselves is to let it go and choose to move forward. Choose hope. Choose to be happy.

9. Mad Hatter by Melanie Martinez

Over the bend, entirely bonkers
You like me best when I’m off my rocker
Tell you a secret, I’m not alarmed
So what if I’m crazy? The best people are

Proud to be a weirdo? I know I am and Melanie is too.

A huge part of owning your imperfections is owning your quirkiness. Because it’s a unique part of who you are. Like how our fingerprint is unique to us and our DNA.

Mad Hatter goes all out in terms of letting your freak flag fly and we’re here for it.

10. Born This Way by Lady Gaga

I’m beautiful in my way ’cause God makes no mistakes
I’m on the right track, baby, I was born this way
Don’t hide yourself in regret, just love yourself, and you’re set
I’m on the right track, baby, I was born this way (born this way)

The legend has spoken time and time again. You’re on the right track, baby, you were born this way.

It doesn’t matter what background you come from, what race you are, or what sexual orientation you identify with. At the end of the day, we are all born into this world as human beings.

I love how this song reminds us that loving ourselves fully as well as speaking our truth is the best thing we can do to live life with no regrets.

Even if Born This Way was released way back in 2011, it’s just one of those pop songs that you instantly recognize and bop to. I know I always do.

11. Build a Bitch by Bella Poarch

This ain’t build a bitch (a bitch)
I’m filled with flaws and attitude
So if you need perfect, I’m not built for you (yeah)

The catchiest song of them all! Build a Bitch has probably been on everyone’s playlist since 2021. If you haven’t heard of it yet, you’re welcome.

It truly is a big “fuck you” to every boy and man who nitpicked their partner’s flaws, whether physical or non-physical.

If a man, or anyone for that matter, dictates how you’re supposed to look or act in any shape or form, do yourself a favor by walking away. Maybe even run.

They ain’t worth it.

12. Special by Lizzo

You call it sensitive and I call it superpower
You just lack empathy ’cause you think it gives you power
All I know is only God can judge me
I don’t hide my heart, I wear it on me

Wearing your heart on your sleeve and being authentic will definitely trigger a lot of people. Just ask Lizzo.

Cancel culture, in particular, has made it okay for people to crucify you for making literally one mistake. While cancel culture has brought upon movements that are commendable (#MeToo), there are some cases that take it too far.

For multiple celebrities, past mistakes (I’m referring to the petty type) are brought back to the surface. It makes one question if it’s necessary to shame someone for a minor blunder made years ago. And without giving them a chance to take accountability for it.

There’s a tendency to immediately burn a person at the stake when we don’t know the whole story. This song reminds us to practice more empathy and compassion with not only others, but also ourselves.

13. Palette by IU ft. G-Dragon

Strangely, these days I just like things that are easy
Nonetheless, I still like Corinne’s music
Rather than hot pink, I prefer dark purple
What else was there, pajamas with buttons and lipstick
Nonsensical jokes

As humans, we are constantly changing and we are constantly evolving. Palette encapsulates that in the realest and most lighthearted way possible.

I remember looking up the lyrics of this song and it really resonated with me. During its release, I was about to turn 24, going through a quarter life crisis.

Palette allowed me to reflect upon how far I’ve come, how much I’ve changed for the better, and how well I know myself. That there is so much more explore and discover as well, ultimately contributing to my self-love journey.

Our habits and preferences–WE–change overtime and this song tells us to embrace it, because it’s a natural part of life!

14. Di Ka Sayang by Ben&Ben

You aren’t a waste, you don’t need to feel sorry
You aren’t a waste, you don’t need to prove it
You are important no matter what they think
I accept you

Lowkey promoting OPM (Original Philippine Music) and I’m not sorry. This song is way too good (and heartfelt).

We carry baggage majority of our life and there will be times when it can get heavy and overwhelming.

Di Ka Sayang reminds us that you are never a waste of space despite of the baggage. In fact, you are accepted, valued, loved, seen, and heard even if it feels like the world is closing in on you.

15. F**kin’ Perfect by P!nk

Made a wrong turn, once or twice
Dug my way out, blood and fire
Bad decisions, that’s alright
Welcome to my silly life

Y’all know it would be a disservice if I didn’t include this iconic song in the mix. F**ckin’ Perfect is real and raw about our flaws and imperfections.

Yes, we may make bad decisions. Yes, we may say the wrong things. Yes, we may hurt people including ourselves. But at the end of the day, you are perfect (well, perfectly imperfect) just the way you are.

The song also talks about how we can be so hard on ourselves sometimes. We have to learn how to cut that shit out and give ourselves grace and kindness (even though it can be challenging), especially when we hit our lowest point.

Because no one else can do that except you.

Final thoughts

Well, there you go. That was a cute journey, wasn’t it?

If you have any other song recommendations, feel free to leave a comment below!

And if you absolutely loved this playlist and want to listen to it in your day-to-day life, I gotchu – let the magic of embedding do its thing:

Here’s to being perfectly imperfect and being whole in ourselves no matter where we go and what we do.

It’s messy, but so is life.