Before we get to self-love, we need to start with self-acceptance. Self-acceptance doesn’t mean that you don’t want to change anything about yourself, but it does mean that you won’t beat yourself up over the parts of you that you don’t currently love.
Self-acceptance can be a long road and self-love an even longer one. After being bullied from the fourth grade until I graduated high school, self-acceptance did not come for me until college. Self-love came a little after I started graduate school. What helped was support from the people that loved me and music.
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I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy listening to music. I particularly love listening to music from musicals and movie soundtracks. I have the soundtrack from the Hunchback of Notre Dame on constantly, especially when I want to feel like I’m doing something epic
Music has the ability to affect our mood and the way that we feel about ourselves. Sometimes we need a boost and music may be the key for that. So, here I have 15 inspiring songs about self-acceptance and self-love that you can add to your playlist.
Psst – if you love all of these songs, check out the playlist that I made on Spotify, search Learning To Be Free Self-Acceptance or click here.
Don’t have Spotify and want to listen to these awesome songs? Sign up for a FREE trial of Amazon Music Unlimited. You’ll get access to Amazon’s library of thousands of songs as well as all of the other benefits of Amazon Prime. Click here to sign up for your free trial.
Beautiful – Christina Aguilera
Favorite lyrics: I am beautiful. In every single way. Yes words can’t bring me down.
Who You Are – Jessie J
Favorite lyrics: Tears don’t mean you’re losing, everybody’s bruising.
Just be true to who you are.
Bitch – Meredith Brooks
Favorite lyrics: 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
Imperfection – Saving Jane
Favorite lyrics: Sometimes I trip and fall. But I know where I stand.
Video – India.Arie
Favorite lyrics: Am I less of a lady ’cause I don’t wear pantyhose? My mama said a lady ain’t what she wears but what she knows.
Hand in My Pocket – Alanis Morissette
Favorite lyrics: I’m lost but I’m hopeful, baby. What it all comes down to
is that everything’s gonna be fine, fine, fine.
Let It Go – Idina Menzel (from Disney’s Frozen)
Favorite lyrics: It’s time to see what I can do. To test the limits and break through. No right, no wrong, no rules for me. I’m free.
Brave – Sara Bareilles
Favorite lyrics: Sometimes a shadow wins. But I wonder what would happen if you. Say what you wanna say. And let the words fall out.
Superwoman – Alicia Keys
Favorite lyrics: Even when I’m a mess. I still put on a vest. With an S on my chest. Oh yes. I’m a Superwoman.
Unpretty – TLC
Favorite lyrics: Why do I look to all these things. To keep you happy. Maybe get rid of you and then I’ll get back to me.
Hands – Jewel
Favorite lyrics: My hands are small, I know. But they’re not yours they are my own. But they’re not yours they are my own. And I am never broken.
F**kin’ Perfect – Pink
Trigger Warning: Self-harm/suicide
Favorite lyrics: Change the voices, change the voices in your head, in your head. Make them like you instead.
Scars to Your Beautiful – Alessia Cara
Favorite lyrics: You should know you’re beautiful just the way you are.
And you don’t have to change a thing, the world could change its heart.
I hope you enjoyed these inspirational songs about loving yourself and accepting yourself. Getting to self-love and even getting to self-acceptance is not easy but it is possible. Let me know what your favorite song from the list was in the comments. If you have a song I should add, let me know!
Don’t forget to sign up for your FREE trial of Amazon Music Unlimited so have access to all of these songs and thousands more.
Briana Hollis is a licensed social worker and self-care coach. She earned her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University in 2014 and her Master of Education from Tiffin University in 2019. She has spent the last 5 years working in crisis intervention. Her passion for serving others is the heart of this site. She started Learning To Be Free to assist others in bringing freedom to their lives.
Briana is also the author of The Self-Care Journal for Young Adults.
Briana, I so LOVED this blog about using music and song to help life one’s spirits, especially when one struggling with depression. I particularly like ‘Let It Go’ but I also like Pentatonix’ original of ‘Sing, Sing, Sing!’ Well done.
Thank you! I always love reading your comments 🙂