Radical Self-Love Playlist Pt. 2
by Jaclyn McCabe
February 10, 2020
A deeper dive into self-worth
This year's playlist is a reflection of the personal work I've done recently around standing in my truth. When I created the first Radical Self-Love Playlist, I was in the midst of a mad love affair with myself. And while I am still madly in love with me, it just looks a little different as I've grown over the last twelve months.
This past year was an interesting one, for sure. I made several significant changes in my work life, including finishing my coaching certification and establishing my self-love coaching practice. I did some intense behind-the-scenes work in therapy. I challenged myself to show up differently in all aspects of life. I shed some relationships that no longer served me. I set new boundaries.
There was a tremendous amount of joy, too! I jiggled my wobbly bits at the Not So Skinny Dip. I frolicked in five parades between Twelfth Night and Mardi Gras Day and created unique costumes for each. I spent four full days doing nothing more than laughing with my niece and nephews. I pranced naked through a waterfall. I laid on my back and looked at the stars. I embraced my weirdness and found my krewe.
Above all, I practiced putting myself first in my life.
Through it all, I was reminded often that the road to feeling a deep sense of freedom isn't always easy, but it is always worth it.
Music and song lyrics, in particular, are a huge part of my healing journey. My intention with this list is to plant a seed in your journey toward radical self-love. I encourage you to remember that you don't need anyone else to give you worth this Valentine's Day. You already have everything you need right inside of you.


Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the overwhelming number of powerful Black female singers and songwriters who are present on both Radical Self-Love Playlists. I respect and acknowledge the space Black women have carved out for themselves in this world. I am grateful for their work as I identify with their words for my own healing around self-worth and spread the love to you. I encourage any white women reading this to consider supporting Black women in a concrete way, through donations to Women With A Vision or another organization that calls to you.
Just like last year, if you are sensitive to profanity or sexual descriptions, then this might not be the playlist for you. I have marked some songs with parental advisories. 🅴
And if you're new to the plus-size lady krewe, be sure to check out the original Radical Self-Love Playlist.


Favorite Lyric:
How you show up in the world is the key
And that’s way more than just what you see
You’re best when your mind and your body are sync’d
So be who you are and you’ll be more complete
Reminder:
I can't be anyone else other than me, and I'm pretty great exactly as I am today.
Favorite Lyric:
Is it peculiar that she twerk in the mirror?
Reminder:
There is nothing immoral about my body or the way I was born.
Bonus:
I can always jiggle my way into a good day, especially to a song that makes me feel powerful.
Favorite Lyric:
Mama said it's gonna be alright (Be alright)
She said "Baby, you came just in time
The world needs your light, let yours shine"
Reminder:
All I need to do is be my most authentic self.
Favorite Lyric:
Somewhere, somehow, somebody
Must have kicked you around some
Tell me why you wanna lay there
And revel in your abandon
Reminder:
I get to choose how I show up in the world. I don't have to live within the limiting beliefs of society.
Bonus:
There's a Tom Petty lyric for every life moment.

Favorite Lyric:
I’m a rebel, on another levelThey can’t solve me: I’m a riddleLittle off yeah I know I’m kinda weirdI give zero f**ks: no fear
Reminder:
“Being ourselves means sometimes having to find the courage to stand alone, totally alone.” ― Brené Brown
*This is a repeat from Vol 1. I still heart all things Miss Eaves.
Favorite Lyric:
If I'm shinin', everybody gonna shine (yeah, I'm goals)
I was born like this, don't even gotta try (now you know)
I'm like chardonnay, get better over time (so you know)
Heard you say I'm not the baddest, bitch, you lied
Reminder:
I'm in the midst of a mad love affair with myself, no apology necessary.

Favorite Lyric:
In reality I'm gon' be who I be
And I don't feel no faults for all the lies that you bought
You can try as you may bring me down when I say
That it ain't up to you, go on do what you do
Reminder:
What other people think of me is none of my business. This includes strangers, friends, and even family.
Favorite Lyric:
Oh, I don't know what you've been told
But this gal right here's gonna rule the world
Yeah, that is where I'm gonna be because I wanna be
No, I don't wanna sit still, look pretty
Reminder:
There are many amazing things for a woman to be in this world other than pretty.
Favorite Lyric:
So let the people keep talking (oh!)
We stand tall, never falling (oh-oh!)
Tell the world that we're coming
We're just beginning, this is our moment (woo!)
Yeah, this is the moment we've been waiting on
Reminder:
Above all, stand in my truth.

Favorite Lyric:
Go ahead, release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry
Reminder:
Doing the work can be hard sometimes; cry as needed.
I Am Woman by Danielle Brooks*
Favorite Lyric:
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (Strong)
I am invincible (Invincible)
I am woman
Reminder:
When all else fails, play the feminist national anthem.
*You can find the original version by Helen Reddy here.
Favorite Lyric:
Now listen up to this truth
You are me and I am you
Every one of us is worthy
Baby girl, worthy woman
Every one of us is worthy
Reminder:
Truth, I am inherently worthy.
Favorite Lyric:
And there are many things that I could change so slightly
But why would I succumb to something so unlike me?
I was always taught to just be myself
Don't change for anyone
Reminder:
I am perfectly acceptable exactly as I am today.
Bonus:
I can take the parts of the beauty myth I like and leave the rest.
Favorite Lyric:
Don't give in
To the voice within (Oh I gotta learn)
It'll take you down
And those scars you draw (Oh I gotta learn)
So become your friend (I gotta learn)
And make this end
Reminder:
"If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone to be good to me"
― Maya Angelou
Favorite Lyric:
She battled trials and every kind of tribulation
She reveled in adventure and imagination
She never listened to no hater, liar
Breaking boundaries and chasing fire
Reminder:
Rise above expectations, including your own. Freedom exists outside of other people's opinions.
Favorite Lyric:
She taught me love (Love)
She taught me patience (Patience)
How she handles pain (Pain)
That shit's amazing (Yeah, she's amazing)
I've loved and I've lost (Yeah, yeah)
But that's not what I see (Yeah, yeah)
'Cause look what I've found (Yeah, yeah)
Ain't no need for searching
Reminder:
There are no mistakes, just opportunities to grow.
Favorite Lyric:
I've given enough away
I've run out of words to say, uh, uh
I'm giving it up today
I've given enough away, uh, uh
Reminder:
I don't need to set myself aside to make anyone happy.
This includes strangers, friends, and even family.
Favorite Lyric:
True love ain't something you can buy yourself
True love finally happens when you by yourself
Reminder:
I am enough. I don't need anyone else to complete me.
Favorite Lyric:
Self-love is all we need
To find our inner peace
I see the pain decrease
When I focus on me
Reminder:
I am responsible for me behaving in a loving way towards myself. As my trusted friend Kathy Kelly reminds me often, "I am the most important person in my life."
Favorite Lyric:
Every flaw is really beauty owned by nobody else
The world will be a better place if this how everyone felt
Reminder:
If you come to the end of this list and still can't quite fully believe you are exactly how you should be, that's okay. Somedays we just need to borrow a little confidence from this odd little guy, he won't mind.

Favorite Lyric:
I mean how can you really expect me to pick a favorite lyric in this modern masterpiece.
Reminder:
"Wear the world like a loose garment."
―
Francis of Assisi
"Jiggle daily."
―Jaclyn McCabe
Jaclyn McCabe
Author