Why Your Therapist *Still* Loves Lizzo
By Rebecca Patterson, AMFT
My love for Lizzo is well known. As a human, she makes me feel happy and seen; as a therapist her message is empowering yet grounded in reality in a way that mimics the very message we are often trying to send clients. Music plays such an important role in how we experience life and is so often the daily therapist we turn to when anything is happening in our lives. Lizzo’s latest release - Special - is a beautiful homage to friendship and the real toil of Covid that I couldn’t resist unpacking the healing messages in hopes that others find them too.
I Love You B**ch
I don’t know the last time a song made me feel the beauty of true glorious friendship love like this one. Lizzo makes it incredibly clear that it was her friendships that kept her going in Covid. Whether this is true for you or not, Covid has caused us all to realize the importance of having the people we love, and who know us deeply, in our lives. The first time I heard this song I texted my bestie halfway through just to make sure she knew that she was That B**ch for me and I loved her dearly.
Line I Love: I'm under pressure and it's all on me; Don't want to stress ya, but you're all I need
About Damn Time
And I’m dancing… I hope you are too. But in her mastery, I’m also connecting to what it felt like to finally have the world open back up as much as it has. While Covid is by no means in our past, there is a distinct shift and it’s allowed us all to notice the stress of this era and the ever shaky space of asking ourselves and our loved ones are we ok? How has this changed us? And are there any ways we’re better versions of ourselves?
Line I Love: Is everybody back up in the buildin'? It's been a minute, tell me how you're healin' 'Cause I'm about to get into my feelings
2 Be Loved
The last few years have done a lot to love. Relationships have ended, folks stopped dating altogether, and many found new lasting love. But for those who saw love end or stall in Covid, there is an inevitable point where they ask if they’re ready to open back up to romance again. The question of “when’s the right time” is a familiar one for all therapists who have probably responded with “it depends.” Being ready and receptive to love is a choice, which this catchy tune helps everyone contemplate why or why not.
Line I Love: That lovey-dovey shit, was not a fan of it ; I'm good with my friends, I don't want a man, girl; I'm in my bed, I'm way too fine to be here alone
Special
As stated above, empowering yet real is a bit part of what makes me love Lizzo as a musician and a mental health ally. In this self love anthem she names that the world has been hard on her, as a Black Woman and in our body shaming society and that has made her care even more about hoping whoever listens to her music can feel seen and empowered in who they are. I’m constantly sitting in my own ability to see the power and spark in my clients and wishing they could see themselves through my eyes. It’s nice knowing Lizzo cares about that too.
Line I Love: Fame is pretty new but I've been used to people judging me; That's why I move the way I move and why I'm so in love with me
An important note as I gush over Lizzo, this album also features the song Grrls which upon release contained an ableist derogatory term, which saddened me and many, but I’m grateful for how Lizzo responded and her decision to remove the word. In still honoring what she means as an artist to me, I’m extending her grace that the word choice was an error and not a reflection of her beliefs as the album actually reflects she holds a strong opposing stance.
I hope you give this album a try if you haven't already, or if Lizzo is not your style, find the music that allows you to connect with your own story while simultaneously letting you feel connected to something greater than yourself.