Lizzo’s New-Agey Technique Might be the Best Self-Love Exercise
2019 will always be remembered as the year of Lizzo. She exploded onto the scene at the tail end of the decade, and it seems like she can only go up from here.
Her breakout hit, “Truth Hurts,” is an anthem at this point. It’s appeared in television shows, movies, and it’s all over the radio. It gives the listener a clear sense of triumph. It has to be one of the best breakup songs of modern times.
Just because Lizzo has brought fans a sense of swagger and confidence with her music doesn’t mean she’s always felt that way herself. Lizzo had to overcome some serious self-doubt to get where she is today.
Lizzo hasn’t always had larger than life confidence
Lizzo has been very vocal about her struggles with depression. The singer climbed the ladder to success. She wasn’t discovered and turned into an overnight hit. She really earned it.
All that hard work, and the rejection that comes standard for budding artists, ended up getting to her. She shared: “The day I released ‘Truth Hurts’ was probably one of the darkest days I’ve had ever in my career. I remember thinking, ‘If I quit music now, nobody would notice. This is my best song ever, and nobody cares.'”
But people did care. The song started picking up steam, and Lizzo realized that what she had thought of as her biggest failure had become her claim to fame.
She said: “Now the song that made me want to quit is the song that everyone’s falling in love with me for, which is such a testament to journeys: Your darkest day turns into your brightest triumph.”
Lizzo still practices a self-care technique
Even though she’s left a lot of her issues with depression behind her, Lizzo still places a great deal of importance on self-love. She can’t afford to slip back into a dark place, so she stays on top of her self appreciation.
“I practice self-love. I look in the mirror and say, ‘I love you. You’re beautiful. You can do anything.'” Lizzo is adamant that self care isn’t just for when you’re feeling down on yourself. In fact, it’s important to dedicate time to self love when your feeling good. “Tell yourself that on your happy days so that you have the strength to tell yourself that on your darker days.”
Lizzo’s mirror technique isn’t something she came up with on her own. It’s actually a well-known technique called mirror work.
What is mirror work?
Even though mirror work isn’t a standardized therapy technique, some say it has a basis in psychology. Mirror work is basically using positive affirmations while in front of a mirror. Positive affirmations have been linked to improved self-perception.
Some people, like empowerment coach Natalia Benson, believe that adding a mirror into the mix improves the effects of positive affirmations. That’s not the only benefit of the practice, according to Benson. She says mirror work can go beyond positive affirmations, and that practitioners can “even open up a conversation with yourself as if you’re speaking with a dear friend.”
Benson says that mirror work improves confidence, which makes sense. Lizzo’s confidence is palpable, so it seems like the mirror work has really paid off. According to Benson, “You’ll notice it’s easier to have tough conversations, like asking for a raise, firing someone, asking someone on a date, etc., because you’re no longer avoiding yourself and your inner power.”
It’s easy to start mirror work. Just grab a mirror, hold your gaze, and start with positive affirmations. It certainly seems to work for Lizzo.
