Striving to be all you can be is an admirable quality. But the pressure we put on ourselves to be flawless can bring us down emotionally and physically. So what if you haven’t lost that last five pounds, landed your dream job or found your soul mate yet? With this powerful “Perfectly Imperfect” playlist, we invite you to let go of any preconceived notions that you should be anyone other than who you are, right here and now — flaws and all. We know you’re still working on your masterpiece! To help drive this message of self-love home, we’ve compiled 22 self-compassion and self-esteem boosting songs from Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Fantasia, India.Arie, Jessie J, Christina Aguilera, Grace Jones and more.

Charlot Kristensen
About the Author
A fan of music, dance and cats, Tracy E. Hopkins is a lifestyle and culture writer who has contributed to numerous print and digital publications, including Essence, Woman's Day, Prevention, Fodor's and Entertainment Weekly.
A fan of music, dance and cats, Tracy E. Hopkins is a lifestyle and culture writer who has contributed to numerous print and digital publications, including Essence, Woman's Day, Prevention, Fodor's and Entertainment Weekly.
Heart to Heart
This list may encourage people to open up to you so you can have more meaningful conversations.
, September 9, 2022
4 Min Read
This simple question has changed the game for me.
, November 13, 2024
3 Min Read
Whether you’re getting to know someone, or you’ve known them forever, these phrases may indicate someone has some growing to do—and you’ve got boundaries to set.
, December 17, 2024
5 Min Read
Happy couples reclaim and maintain honest, heart-centered communication. Don’t tiptoe around relationship tension, say experts. Use it as a tool to get talking and get closer.
By
Alaya Linton
, November 20, 2020
3 Min Read
When I lost touch with mine, I realized how important they are.
, June 28, 2019
3 Min Read
Discussing erectile dysfunction (ED) doesn’t have to be weird; instead it can increase satisfaction and strengthen your bond.
, September 8, 2023
10 Min Read
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