the importance of demi lovato's i love me

Every once and a while, a new song is released and it immediately strikes a chord. That is exactly what happened when I heard, "I Love Me" for the first time. I am no stranger to Demi Lovato. In addition to owning all of her music, she has been featured on my blog and YouTube channel many times. From her NYC eyeshadow palette (check out that review here) to a Demi rainbow inspired makeup look (which you can see here)...she certainly has had a presence in both my personal life and creative spaces. Needless to say, I am a fan of her style, her music, and her emotional honesty. And of course, her latest hit, "I Love Me." The song is making waves for all the right reasons. Not only is it a welcome return to music for the beloved singer but the song has a message that means something. One that is vulnerable and all too relatable. My mission here at the creation of beauty is art. is to focus on all the things that make the world beautiful. That includes self love, self care, and Demi Lovato's latest hit.

To understand the true importance of this song, I wanted to share are a few of my favourite lines. (To hear the song in full - which is incredible even without all of the powerful lyrics - check out Demi Lovato's music video for "I Love Me.") This is a song about self love, acceptance, and fighting against comparison. My favourite lines from the song include:

Flipping through all of these magazines

Telling me who I'm supposed to be

Way too good at camouflage

Can't see what I am

I just see what I'm not.

I'm guilty 'bout everything that I eat

Feeling myself is a felony

Jedi level sabotage

Voices in my head make up my entourage.

Cause I'm a black belt when I'm beating up on myself

But I'm an expert at giving love to somebody else.

Oh, why do I compare myself to everyone?

And I always got my finger on the self destruct

I wonder when I love me is enough.

Why am I always looking for a ride or die?

'Cause mine's the only heart I'm gonna have for life

After all the times I went and fucked it up

I wonder when I love me is enough.

As you can see from the first portion of the song....there is a strong message being presented here. One so important I knew that I had to talk about it. So many of the lines resonated with me. Especially the concept of the comparison trap (which I have written about in the past. You can read more about that in my post, Accepting Who I'm Not). Additionally, the lines about being able to give love to others but not yourself struck a chord. When it comes to seeing the gifts, talents, and abilities that other people posses? Nothing could be easier. Whether it is a celebrity, family member, or a close friend...seeing the good in other people has always been simple. Seeing the good in myself? That is decidedly more difficult. For every positive thought that pops into my head, it seems another four or five negative thoughts arrive to undo all of that positive thinking. It takes a lot of concentrated effort to overcome the "black belt" I have earned in beating myself up. Needless to say, this song is relatable on a lot of levels. More than I care to admit. 

I love that an artist as well-known as Demi is taking a stand. She has chosen to acknowledge societal pressures, inner demons, and the importance of embracing our true selves. "I Love Me" is more than an important song...it is a call to action. It is time to recognize destructive patterns of comparison and negative self-talk and take pro active steps towards positive change. There are many ways to start embracing (and loving) who are you are. For me, positive affirmations work best. That might mean practicing mirror work, writing down affirmations in a notebook, or saying positive statements out loud. If affirmations are of interest to you, here are a few you can start with. 

• I love and accept myself.
• I am already more than enough.
• I release the need to judge or criticize.
• I deserve good things in my life.
• I feel good about myself and the decisions I make.
• I am a joyful and confident person. 
• I am worthy of being loved. 

Every now and again, a song stays with you. It makes an impact. It matters. Demi Lovato's latest track, "I Love Me" is one that instantly felt important. The lyrics, the message, and the intention were all overwhelmingly positive. The song acknowledges a darker side of our internal monologues. However, it also empowers the listener to celebrate their own individuality. To shift the focus onto what we are instead of what we lack.

Have you heard Demi Lovato's new song? What does the message mean to you?