*Dramatic eye roll*

Oh god here it comes.

The one day out of the year where you’ll find couples on Instagram acting like they’re absolutely infatuated with each other.

The other 364 days they’re on there airing out some of the dirtiest laundry you’ve ever seen and threatening to maim and disfigure their in- laws.

Rejoice. It’s Valentine’s Day.

Back in elementary school we wore red to mark this Hallmark holiday. This year the only red you’ll catch me in is probably from the numerous nosebleeds I’ll catch from running into various restaurants, pointing at random men and screaming “I knew I’d find you here, you bastard!!” at the top of my lungs.

Whateva.

At times when I really think about it I kind of do get sad. I sorta do sometimes want a heart shaped box full of diabetes but alas; some girls get all the luck.

I have never had a successful valentine. It just never worked out. The only valentine cards I've ever gotten was in kindergarten when we were all required to write one out for each member of the class. Ever since then, I look at the tacky bears and the lovebirds and whisper to myslef "pffftt ... Y'all can have it"

About 2 years ago I was going through the toughest heartbreak of my MF life. It was the couldn't eat, couldn't sleep kind of heartbreak. Whew! I went on a journey while I was healing from it. Music helped word some things i couldn't say. I sobbed a lot (Like ugly sobs) but there came a point where you actually just want to get over it. Like "I don't want to feel this way anymore" over it.

Some songs get you through it, but depending on where you are on your solo -journey, some songs remind you of why you don't need any of that in the first place. Some songs remind you of who you are:

1. Number One Fan – Muna

“So, I heard the bad News, Nobody Likes me and I’m gonna die alone – In my bedroom. Looking at strangers on my telephone”

This song gives me BIG “fuck you, I’m IT honey” energy. I remember actually googling “songs that help you get over a heartbreak” when I first discovered this song. That’s the opening line above and I felt scandalized when I heard it.

I was in such a low place, talking to myself sooo poorly and saying exactly those words.

I remember looking at the mirror during the chorus and thinking “I kind of like this song”, and then… I vaguely remembered how much I kind of liked me... I did not know how to be a fan of myself, but I decided then and there to find ways how.

Now when I catch my reflection off shiny surfaces I stop and stare. After checking out my own ass, I repeat in a singsong voice “Omg Like!…I’m your number one fan. So iconic. Like Big. Like Stan..." and stomp out the room with my imaginary 6-inch heels, and very weak ankles.

2. Get up 10 - Cardi B

“I Waited my whole life just to shit on Ni**as, climbed to the top floor so I can spit on Ni**as”

This is hands down my favorite Cardi B song. although explicit like all her other records, I find this song to be quite inspiring.

Actually, this is my go -to at the gym. It gets me so amped up, I start throwing weights around like I’m training for Mr. Olympia.

Cardi speaks about making it. Period. Her voice is so gritty, and full of emotion in this song you cannot help but feel like you can do it too. Whatever it might be. Just to spite everyone who said you couldn’t.

I pop this in whenever I’m feeling a tad bit lonely and it brings out a version of me that would kick lonely Me’s ass. Gladly.

3. Glorious – Macklemore ft. Skylar Grey

“En garde, things are just things, they don't make you who you are Can't pack up a U-Haul and take it with you when you're gone We posted on the porch, my family's glasses to the stars. My grandma smiling down on me like "Woo, that boy got bars"

I love this song. Makes me feel so good. On the bad years, Valentines makes you want to go into hermit mode and curl up into the fetal position. But this song makes me want to go to a Macklemore concert and join a mosh pit. (Omg lol, remember socializing ???)

Macklemore is gifted with his lyrics and this song reminds you that “The world is up for grabs”

who has time to feel lonely? You’ve got shit to do. The generations after you are waiting on you to change the world.

4. On My Mind – Jorja Smith & Preditah

“I finally found what went wrong, I finally found the wrong in you “

Nothing, NOTHING I SAY, feels as good as laying in bed and realizing you broke a toxic cycle.

Whether you’re fresh out of a relationship, or very used to beating yourself up for not being in one, there comes a moment where you get a shift in perspective.

This feel–GREAT song helped me reach mine. Getting over that horrendous heartbreak in 2019 felt impossible. I really felt like I would never be happy again.

We have the tendency to look back on failed relationships/situationships with rose- tinted glasses on. It took me forever to see the red flags were there, and no babe, they weren’t six flags.

This song perfectly worded where I mentally was when my ex- thing tried to pop back into my life. (They allllways try to come back into your life) I didn’t want to see him, and I didn’t want to think of him. I was so turned off by him, and till this day when he slides into my DM’s I can perfectly see the wrong in him. Crazy Since I used to think he was the one for me.

If you start feeling vulnerable on valentine’s day wondering if you made the right decision leaving that situation (You know the one) behind. Ask yourself friends “Why on earth would I leave ? if you were everything I wanted you to be?”

Spoiler alert: It’s because they weren’t.

5. Yo No Se Manana – Luis Enrique *Spanish Song*

“Esta vida es igual que un libro, cada pagina es un día vivido No tratemos de correr antes de andar Esta noches estamos vivos, solo este momento es realidad”

Whether you speak Spanish or not , dance salsa or not , this valentines day I Strongly urge you to blast this song while you clean the house. This song will never NOT put me in a good mood.

The direct quote above translates too: “This life like a book, each page is a day lived.. Let's not try to run before we walk. Tonight we are alive, only this moment is reality”

The song title directly translates too: “I don’t know tomorrow” you can take it as "I don't know about tomorrow"

The message of the song is just as carefree.. basically who knows what’ll happen tomorrow ?! why ruin today about it?! Go have that fling! It just might be the best, shiiii ...might just be the worst. We might end up together .. or tomorrow the world might end. Nothing is written.

6. Don’t be so hard on yourself – Jesse Glynne

“Cause I'm just tired of marching on my own Kind of frail, I feel it in my bones Won't let my heart, my heart turn into stone So don't be so hard on yourself, no.”

If you can listen to this song and not give us the tiniest bit of shoulder action, I’m just going to assume you can’t move your shoulders. Jesse Glynne has gotten me through A LOT.

Her soulful voice and super upbeat beats makes me want to skip and sing at the top of my lungs.

I know my neighbors are beyond sick of me

7. Work Bitch – Britney Spears

“You want a hot body ? You want a buggatti? You want a Maserati? You better work bitch”

If Cardi B’s song in the number 2 spot of this list is the first song I play at the gym, This is most definitely the second. Britney ever so gently reminds us that the things we want in this life come from hard work and dedication.

I listened to this song on the elliptical trainer and my knees are still not talking to me. I was fly-innnng honey. Valentines day means it’s almost march, which mean its almost May, and May means its Almost June. June 21st is the first day of SUMMER. Suns out, Buns out.

You better workkk.

8. B.S – Jhene Aiko FT. H.E.R

“Back Up on my Bullshit, Back up on the scene. Out here acting foolish like I’m Seventeen, I just bought a new whip, it don’t need gasoline. I’ve just seen your new Bitch…. It boost my self esteem”

Sometimes you need a song that reminds you who you are and then sometimes... you need a song that reminds you to remind everyone else who you are.

This song spoke to me when I was on my sad girl nonsense and respectfully asked me to Boss up. Sad this Valentines day ? Why ? Get back on your B.S. and wake up every single person that has slept on you.

9. Can’t stop the feeling – Justin Timberlake

“Nothing I can see but you, when you dance , dance, dance”

Lol don’t look at me like that.…I know what you’re thinking!

*Roll eyes* Girl… trolls???

I know. But then I remember how I once walked into a dance class one valentine’s day a few years back. I was the youngest person there. Everyone else was in their 40's or 50's.

I was bit bummed out cause my bloody valentine for the year cancelled last minute. Rude, I know.

I decided to come enjoy a workout class and this was the song they were choreographing too. I remember thinking, I wonder why they’re choosing to be here. Surely, they have plans on this …Joyous… day all of them being older and probably married. The music started playing and it was clear to me they were regulars. Honestly, it was pretty obvious they were freaking Broadway stars in their day jobs.

They did the dance once all the way through, and I was in utter shock. Every time I heard this song I thought of a whole bunch of trolls with pink hair. In that room this song took on a whole other form.

The kids listen to the beat of this song; these adults listened to the richness of the rhythm.

I swear those people leapt and bopped with so much flow, the song opened up for me. I was smiling from the corner of the room like a child watching a magic trick. Then they signaled it was my turn. They waited till I got the steps and we re-did the choreography together. I twirled my life away and when Justin sang “ Got this feelin in my body" I was screeched "omg Justin ME TOO!" I knew exactly what he was talking about. Our cheeks were red and our laughter was loud …hard to believe an hour earlier I was worried about a measly Valentine.

Valentines day might be an annoyance to some, A blessing to others and Just February 14th to the rest.

But If on this day, you find yourself feeling like you at all like lack in any gosh darn way just cause you have no one to say “Be mine” too, play this play list and remember that this is a made up holiday …… and you wouldn’t dare let a made up holiday give you FOMO right?

You’re just to cool for that. I can tell.

See You on Thanksgiving.