The self-care mixtape: 5 songs every woman needs saved in her phone

By: Zenia Lei Cruz

Never in a million years did I think I would miss the Manila traffic – but I do.

 After weeks of heightened anxiety and adjusting from the hustle and bustle to quiet, thoughtful mornings, I find myself missing mundane things like rush hour and a jam-packed schedule.  60 days in and we’re finally adjusting to the new rhythms of life. Businesses, people, and countries have been tested and paralyzed by this pandemic but do we really have to come out scathed?

Maybe there is a silver lining to it all. Maybe it’s the twist of fate we all needed after all. Maybe it was the world’s way of giving us time – to know ourselves, nourish ourselves, and learn to take it all in, unapologetically. 

Perhaps now is the best time to regroup and reflect on the lives we’ve been living. Perhaps it’s a chance to collect a little more faith; a little more courage to start over and brave the outside world.

As you gather yourself with your thoughts and your plans, allow us to DJ your process of becoming. Here’s a self-care playlist that will help you find your rhythm and sing to your tunes.

To start your day right: For Now – Kina Granis

If you’ve ever wondered why you’ve felt so agit the whole day, chances are you started it by checking your work emails. Research shows that the way you start your day greatly affects your mood throughout the rest of the day.

If that sounds like you, try listening to some chill R&b in the morning and feel all those fuzzy warm hugs in your ears.

Instead of going from zero to mentally bombarded within the first 5 minutes of your day, start it by counting the things you’re grateful for and enjoy the quiet that early mornings provide.

Try this:

• Start your day with a 10-minute meditation
• Follow it by telling yourself: “I am worthy. I am beautiful. I am accepted. I am loved. Today is a great day and I am thankful for this blessing. “
• Remind yourself that you always have a choice to be in the present. And choose to be there.

Doing this, sets the tone for the rest of the day. You become less reactive and more intentional, allowing yourself to let go of things outside of your control. 

Setting your day right allows you to create an atmosphere of gratitude and wellness knowing nothing can affect your day without your permission.

To pick up your mood: I wanna dance with somebody – Whitney Houston

Whoever tells you they have perfect days every day is a liar! We all have crappy days and that’s okay. Pick yourself up by tuning in to something that lifts your mood, and this song does exactly that! 

This song is a classic and that’s what makes it so perfect. Everyone has at least heard of this song and can sing the title with its melody. Whether you know the whole song by heart or can sway with its rhythm, playing this will make you feel better.

Try this:

• When you’re having a tough day, carve out 15 minutes just to do something fun and silly.
• After doing something fun, stand up, play this song, and just vibe with it!

You’ll be surprised by how much groovin’ you’ll be doing when the second chorus hits. Sing, dance, and sway like no one is watching. The key to real productivity is the breaks you allow yourself to indulge in. Take them, enjoy them, and love every minute of them!

To remind you it gets better: I See the light – From “Tangled”

Imagine yourself finding your true purpose in life after years of self-exploration. That gratifying moment when you finally “see the light.” When you see the world with fresh eyes and it all finally makes sense. You’ve found your calling. You wake up every morning giddy for the day to come. You fall asleep fulfilled with the day that’s just ended.

Self- love is not only taking care of your body and mind. It’s also taking care of your true identity. It’s allowing yourself to follow your light; your north star.

To remind yourself that you are worthy: Home – Reese Lansangan

Self-acceptance has been one of the pivotal wins throughout my self-care journey and I reckon anyone else’s. Learning to embrace yourself in your fullness is finally allowing yourself to be seen for all you are. It’s finally accepting your past, shining a light on your present, and looking forward to your future. It’s the beginning of a beautiful journey that leads you back home to you.

And amid your troubles and triumphs, you find that the very experiences that challenge you are the ones that make you.

A true glow-up starts from within.  

“If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely” – Road Dahl

Thrive in your element: Defying gravity – From “Wicked”

The only limits you have are those you set for yourself. 

While we all have room to grow, allow yourself to find a space where you are celebrated. Let your dreams live and let them come to life. Dare yourself to take on new heights and grow – always.

Try this:

• End each day on a positive note by writing down 3 things you’ve learned and 3 things you can improve on.
• When emotions arise, acknowledge them.
• Before you sleep at night think of 1 thing you want to achieve the next day and do that.