For Shakira, 2023 was a year of ‘seismic shifts.’ She said as much during her acceptance speech after being named Billboard’s “Woman of the Year,” where she delivered a message that continues to resonate around the world today. The singer used the moment to issue a powerful call for self-love, having just dropped her first collab with Anitta and recently confirmed the dates for her upcoming tour.
We wanted to take a more profound look at her words with the help of Pilar Conde, psychologist and clinical director at Clínicas Origen in Spain. The message from the mother of two is significant and deserves occasional reflection.
“We women are stronger, braver, and more independent than we think.” Every woman reaches a stage in her life where she shifts her focus from seeking someone else to seeking herself. The artist remarked, “It’s also that moment when the desire to be perfect transforms into the desire to be authentic.”
“When I felt the most lost, music was what helped me find my way back to myself. But the most important lessons I’ve learned this year have come from other women. “I wrote and sang for women who love fiercely, express brutal honesty, channel rage, dance with joy, and are moved to tears,” she continued. She closed her speech with a heartfelt dedication: “Mom, if you’re watching, despite everything you’ve gone through this year, you’re still standing with your limitless love and resilience. To me, you’ve been my Woman of the Year. This is for you. Thank you so much.”
© NBCStaying True to Yourself
For Pilar, one of the key takeaways from Shakira’s message is the importance of being true to yourself. “It’s about respecting your own personal rights without overstepping those of others, while striving for alignment between what you think and what you do.” According to the expert, fears and insecurities will never fully disappear. However, by consistently upholding strong values and advocating for our rights, we can continue to build self-esteem, demonstrating to ourselves our ability to truly value our own strengths and abilities.
© ObturadorMXPerfectionism in Shakira’s Message
Pilar confirms that cultural expectations placed on women often contribute to the self-demanding, perfectionist streak Shakira alluded to. According to the expert, “Giving ourselves permission to make mistakes, to fail, and to say ‘no’ is how we build authenticity.” By tuning out the judgment of others and letting our own values be our guide, we learn to trust ourselves and focus on what actually matters.”
© AFP via Getty ImagesMusic as a Tool
Another pillar of Shakira’s speech is the role music plays in healing. “It can be such a powerful tool for reconnecting with yourself,” the psychologist tells us. “It serves as a direct conduit to our emotions, particularly those we often struggle to articulate,” she explains.
© Matei Horvath/GAShe notes that “expressing yourself through art, or even just finding comfort in it as an observer, offers endless opportunities for personal growth and development.” She points out that “it allows us to express our emotions, move through them, and give them space so we can eventually process what happened and turn it into a learning experience.” Ultimately, as the expert puts it, “It’s a tool that helps us build resilience. At the same time, art helps us regulate our emotions while boosting creativity and mental flexibility.”
In short, for Shakira, staying authentic, using music as a resource, and giving ourselves permission to fail are three of the core keys to happiness.
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