The most important milestones in our lives are often the ones no one else sees.
We celebrate promotions. We celebrate weddings. We celebrate graduations. But nobody congratulates you for finally sleeping through the night without thinking about someone who broke your heart.
I myself have been through things in my life and it took me 5years to heal myself and get out of that head space. There is so much trauma we all go through, some get it together easily and for some it takes time.
But one thing I have learned is, no one can heal you, you have to heal yourself. You have to take that step yourself.
What healing actually looks like?
Talk about how healing isn’t dramatic. Healing isn’t a straight line and doesn’t mean forgetting the past. Instead, it looks like pausing before reacting, setting boundaries instead of people-pleasing, and bouncing back faster from bad days. It’s about integrating your experiences so they don’t dominate your present. True recovery manifests in a few subtle but profound ways: A quieter nervous system: You feel physically safer, experiencing fewer stress-related headaches or muscle tension.Mindful responses: Instead of instantly spiraling or snapping, you can take a breath and name your emotions (e.g., “I feel overwhelmed”). Reclaiming your energy: The past no longer monopolizes your mental space. You can engage with past triggers without being hijacked by them. Practicing self-compassion: You allow yourself to feel grief, make mistakes, and say “no” without judging yourself.
Is Healing ment to be seen? Healing is absolutely meant to be seen, both by you and by the world around you. This realization is often a major turning point because it shifts your perspective from hiding your pain to honoring your growth. When healing becomes visible, it shows up in clear, tangible changes: In Your Body and Presence • Open posture: Unclenching your jaw, dropping your shoulders, and making steady eye contact. • Calmer voice: Speaking with a grounded, unhurried pace because you feel safe being heard. • Brighter energy: Carrying less physical heaviness, which naturally makes you look lighter and more present. In Your Daily Choices • Visible boundaries: Saying a clear “no” out loud without over-explaining or apologizing. • Active self-care: Leaving a stressful environment or choosing to rest without hiding it as a secret guilt. • Openly seeking joy: Actively participating in hobbies, laughing freely, and accepting compliments. In Your Connections • Authentic sharing: Speaking about your past struggles in the past tense, without shame or emotional spirals. • Healthy vulnerability: Letting safe people see your imperfections instead of masking them behind a perfect facade. • Deepening relationships: Attracting people who respect your growth and phase out those who only liked your old, people-pleasing habits.
Conclusion We often think healing ends with a grand moment. A dramatic realization. A version of ourselves that no longer hurts.
But healing rarely announces its arrival.
It quietly slips into the ordinary moments. The day you stop replaying the conversation in your head. The moment you choose peace instead of proving a point. The first time you laugh without guilt. The day you realize you no longer recognize the person who once carried so much pain.
Maybe no one will ever know how many nights you spent putting yourself back together. They won’t see the boundaries you fought to build, the habits you had to unlearn, or the courage it took to choose yourself over what was familiar.
And that’s okay.
Because healing was never a performance. It was never about convincing the world that you’re doing better. It was about creating a life where you no longer have to survive every single day.
No one may clap for your healing.
But one day, you’ll wake up and realize you don’t need them to.
The peace you’ve built for yourself will always be louder than the applause you never received.
I think it is, but the chaos should not be dangerous. If it is something like writing mess, meeting new people, healthy uncertainty and constructive challenges.
It can be so good. Like imagine 70% of your life being predictable and then the 30% full of uncertainty.
For me, chaos fills my writing child inside. So I like it. 🙃
One thing that I have learned is, even if you work hard does not mean you will be able to achieve your goal.
Now hear me out…. I am not saying to not work hard, but only working hard would not get you far.
We need to be strategic about it, not scheme, but because more present, analyse what you need to do while working to achieve your goal and it can work in your favour.
A track-by-track review of Olivia Rodrigo’s You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love from someone who wasn’t expecting to become a fan.
Album Overview
Artist: Olivia Rodrigo
Album: You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love
Release Date: 13 June 2026
Genre: pop album
Number of Tracks: 13
Length: 54:45 minutes
Before I Pressed Play
The last time I reviewed an album was “Life of a showgirl” and I was really disappointed. Her album has not been a hit as much to me since “Folklore”. To me, that was her last best album.
I have been searching for a good album since and I did get “Man’s bestfriend” and “Arirang” but I’ll talk about those albums next time (maybe do a review of those albums after ♾️ times).
I am not an Olivia fan at all, nor do I hate her. I personally do not get connected to her songs much. I do have a few I like, like deja vu, vampire and happier. But that’s all, she is too young so naturally her previous albums have been about teenage experiences. I have been out of it for a while now.
And the album name is too big?? “You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” that is a huge name for an album. It took me 2 business days to learn it.
The only reason I decided to hear this album is because I really liked her song “The Cure”. So I decided that I should check it out.
So here I am 😁
I actually do not have much expectations because of how music is right now, the songs aren’t really hitting anymore. Also I don’t keep up much with her, so I probably won’t get the references.
I am gonna read about each song, what their stories are and everything to try and understand this album as much as I can.
Here I go with my headphones 🎧 on where everyone in my house is sleeping at 4:20 am….😶
It is in fact, going to be my late night thoughts 💭
Track 1: [Drop Dead]
First Listen
It was a nice song, I liked it. It’s a good opener, letting the listener into her album.
It’s quite catchy and growing up in me. I had to listen to it 2-3 times to form an opinion. I really liked how she started alternate rapping in the middle part of the song.
And she is talking about her being a Pisces and him being a Gemini, water signs and air signs aren’t really that compatible. So using that to show how even though at first it seems like they are not compatible she thinks they could work well.
Lyrics
So, the song is about meeting someone for a first date, and the date goes well. More like giddy and lovesick about the person or the date itself.
She sings about Pisces and Gemini too, which I learned she is a Pisces and her ex is a Gemini.
The theme is basically the nervousness of meeting them for the first time.
Production
It sounds good, for an opener it is a good song. I really like the pacing of the song. It’s a synth pop or pop rock song. Quite upbeat and happy.
Standout Moment
There is this alternative-rap inspired segment in the middle of the song that was unexpected.
Replay Value
I am not sure if I would willingly come back to it, but if the song plays I will not skip it.
Rating
⭐ 9/10
Track 2: [Stupid Song]
First Listen
Okay, I am half way through the song… and I absolutely love this. (Will report back once done. 🙂)
I am back, and I love this one a lot. This is an amazing song. I can already tell this will stay with me.
There is a theme of undermining herself and showing herself as the crazy and insane one here. She keep talking about how he is the spark, even though this is her talking about how she is falling, there is still insecurities seeping in.
Lyrics
There is a lyric “They say that honest love is a cage that makes you feel free” I really liked it. This song is actually awesome. This is some of the strongest writing on the album.
The other lyric that stands out to me is “You’re a spark in the dark and my clothes are caught aflame”
Production
The beats are pretty pop-rock, but the lyrics are sad. It felt like being so overwhelmed with your own emotions, you don’t even know what to do.
Standout Moment
The entire song is a standout actually.
Only 2 songs in, and I already found my top 5?
Replay Value
Going straight to my playlist. It’s an amazing song. The lyricism is just too good on this one.
If you’re only listening to one song from this album, make it this one.
Rating
⭐10 /10
Track 3: [honeybee]
First Listen
A love song, this is a love song. It’s cute. I like this too. She is good with her pen I have to say.
Okay, this is adorable, it is such a cute song, I am tearing up a little. 🥹
Again, the anxiety she has about the relationship is showing itself the more the song goes on. It is a love song, but she seems like she is scared to lose this.
Lyrics
A love song, there is this one lyric I actually really like “And I hope I never see What your face looks like going.” This was the line that stayed with me.
I actually had an amazing story idea because of the song.
Production
The production complements the lyrics beautifully. I am actually big on great instruments and this is fantastic.
Standout Moment
Oh enchanting instruments in this one. My god, it’s so pretty.
Replay Value
Another top 5 Olivia!!!
This one completely won me over, going straight to my playlist.
This is worth checking out.
Rating
⭐ 9.5/10
Track 4: [Maggots for Brain]
First Listen
Ohhhhhh I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. The start with drums, very 80s inspired.
I just learned it is inspired by Sex and The City’s Miranda Hobbes. But the song is about codependence in a relationship. This is good too. Okay, some lyrics are relatable to me. But I don’t have a baby, so I feel like this everyday.🙂
The continuation of the same “I am the one that is off hinge”. The codependence in relationships can get really bad. This might be clingy to others, or even to him. But she is not afraid to tell him that.
Lyrics
“My day was so mundane I don’t think I left the house Tried to write, nothing came out” Is so me. 😂
Production
I am absolutely in awe of the instrumentation of these songs. The start from drums and ending with guitar is perfect. There’s also piano, bass and saxophone with background vocals.
Standout Moment
It’s another good song, altho I liked the others better, but some of the lyrics were relatable. I liked this better than Drop dead.
Replay Value
Yes, I’ll play it again but when I am bored of those songs.
Rating
⭐ 8/10
Track 5: [U + Me = <3]
First Listen
Hmm at first listen, I can tell this song is more about hope in a relationship, while being aware how unpredictable love can be.
I am kind of mixed now. It’s not bad, it is leaking towards good, but I don’t know if it doesn’t hit the same as others.
To me it seems like she is assuring herself with this one by saying they are forever, because there is an underlining of a relationship slipping away. She is trying to cling on the hope of making the relationship work with her partner.
Lyrics
Hope, that’s what the song is about, there is not much to it for me. I can’t relate honestly.
Production
The instruments are very 80s inspired pop, it’s nice. It feels nostalgic and romantic. The instrumentation elevates the song.
Standout Moment
There aren’t really many standout parts for me. It is a cure song. I like the guitar tho.
Replay Value
I would not play it, I might skip it. Maybe it’s a grower, but the initial response, not a fav.
Rating
⭐ 7.5/10
Track 6: [My way]
First Listen
Is this her “Better than revenge”?
Well it is better than that. She is calling someone out for crossing her boundaries with her boyfriend.
I love when women take a stand for themselves and create boundaries, absolutely love that.
About the song, it’s again giving me mixed feelings, I am somewhere in the middle with this one.
I don’t have much thoughts about this song in particular, it’s pretty to the point.
Lyrics
The lyrics are kind of calling someone out, this also doesn’t have any specific lyrics that stand out to me here.
Production
The production is good with guitar and drums. The arrangement creates the perfect atmosphere.
Standout Moment
Nothing much stood out here/
Replay Value
Willingly won’t play the song, but I will not shut it either.
Rating
⭐7.5 /10
Track 7: [Purple]
First Listen
Oh I love interpreting music as I go, and it seems this one is more like her realising the relationship is going south.
This is good, it’s not a bad song, the lyrics and music complement each other too, but again for me there is something missing, I can’t pin the point where, but there is something missing for me.
She is using the colour purple as a metaphor here because she is becoming too tangled with her partner. Which is again clever, but as much as I love this metaphor I still don’t like that song that much. The depth is there, I give her that. The pen game is super.
Lyrics
I liked the lyric “You kiss my neck Made out paths intersect”
“And i melt in your blue, your red and my blue Now I see the world in purple”. Beautiful.
Production
There is a lot of use of guitars and drums in this album… Sonically, this is one of the stronger tracks (for me.)
Standout Moment
The song is pretty actually, Ofcourse what stands out for me the most are the lyrics (writer’s brain), followed by guitar and drums. The imagery is beautiful.
“Melt with you till it all turns black When you smooth it out, but it feels too flat”.
Replay Value
Yes, I would replay it, the lyrics were good, and I liked the song.
Rating
⭐ 8.5/10
Track 8: [The Cure]
First Listen
Another masterpiece on the album. This is the song that made me do this whole review and listen to the album.
The song is about self doubt, emotional struggles and how relationships cannot fix what we have inside us.
This clicked instantly.
One thing I don’t like about it is, she keeps comparing herself to others, her partner, other girls and more.
The cure she is looking for is not there, it never was the cure is in us. And I could relate. I was like this once too, I thought “maybe there is something wrong with me”.
I have come out from a chapter similar to this, probably why I got instantly hitched.
Lyrics
The whole song is actually really good, kinda relatable too.
My favourite lyrics are the chores actually “My head is full of poison And my heart is full of doubt I got toxins in my bloodstream.”
“I’m unraveled”
Okay, I find this lyric funny in a good way. “Feeling so alone, might as well be on the moon.”
Production
The production is good. I love the acoustic guitar in the back a lot, and Strings. The production gives the song a nostalgic feel.
Standout Moment
The song is mesmerising and I can relate to this one off. Another one of the top 5.
The standout are the lyrics of course for me. As a writer, I am always drawn to the lyrics of the songs. So, I love when artists are great writers too.
Replay Value
Yes, replaying it. Instant save… oh wait it already is.
Give this one a chance.
Rating
⭐ 10/10
Track 9: [Begged]
First Listen
This one is her begging for affection from her partner. I don’t like when people beg others, but then again she is young and definitely not like me.
The song is pretty fabulous actually, I was not expecting to like someone begging their partner this much, but I did. And I related to some of this too.
The way she described herself as an anchor, because it’s heavy and stays there until lifted out. And then she called herself a penny. In a way saying she cannot be away from him or she would sink.
I like interpretation of arts differently, maybe she mentioned something else, but that’s what I think.
Lyrics
“And my endless well of needs I’m an anchor in the ocean You know I could never leave” Chef’s kiss 🤌🏻
Production
The production on the album is immaculate. It sounds more like a sad song, like a realisation and the song portrays it so well.
Standout Moment
It’s very melancholy, the song is another great one on the album. It’s a ballad and I absolutely adore Olivia for this.
The lyric that standout the most for me is “I’m a penny in a fountain Just waiting on my luck to change.”
Replay Value
Yes, it has replay value, I will be playing it again. This one’s staying in my rotation.
Definitely recommend this one.
Rating
⭐ 9.5/10
Track 10: [What’s wrong with me]
First Listen
This is a collaboration with English musician Robert Smith of The Cure, I haven’t heard much about The cure to be honest.
Again a miss for me, this is not my taste. The song is good, but not for me. I don’t think it will grow on me either.
I didn’t like it much
Lyrics
It’s good, I am not that much a fan of this as much as I would have loved to be.
Production
Same guitar, bass, piano, Old-School Synths, but it all goes great with the album.
Standout Moment
The lyric “Went to the doctor and she said I was fine But every movie that I see makes me cry” is what stood out the best for me.
I also like the guitar in the middle.
Replay Value
Won’t mind playing it again.
Rating
⭐ 5/10
Track 11: [Less]
First Listen
Less talks about trying hard to save a relationship.
It is a ballad song. I love ballad songs. The way she explains her body physically suffering in this album with every song is really fantastic.
It’s like her body is physically telling her she needs to let go.
Not being okay, body and head protesting, stomach in knots, going insane, there are so many references of her relationship to her body physically and mentally going through it.
Lyrics
This is easily one of the highlights of the album, what else can I say. These songs are pretty good.
The writing feels raw and honest. She is suffering and the way she expresses it in her words on a song is otherworldly to me right now.
Production
The most beautiful track on the album sonically for me.
Standout Moment
The standout for me is the lyric “If loving me means letting go And wishing me the best I wish….. You loved me less”
Replay Value
Yes, I would come back to this every time. It’s a great song. I love the piano.
If you love ballads, listen to this one.
Rating
⭐ 10/10
Track 12: [Expectations]
First Listen
This is her comeback to herself. Talks about her developing herself and setting standards.
Love that for her.
The song is pretty simple, straight to the points. I like this one, it is not the best on the album, but is up there with top 8.
She is taking her power back with this one, after being in a toxic relationship.
Lyrics
Every line feels intentional, she no longer cares about men, and will prioritize herself over men.
Production
This is a very fast-paced 80s inspired song. This goes well with the lyrics, I have realised she is really inspired by Pop-rock a lot in her songs.
Standout Moment
Definitely the lyrics “won’t settle for a guy with a fake job They seem so desperate for lovin’, but, baby, I’m not.”
Replay Value
Sure, I won’t mind replaying it. But it’s not really for me.
Rating
⭐ 8/10
Track 13: [Cigarette Smoke]
First Listen
She is trying to get over her ex… But he still lingers
I just read about the song and I found out ; “On “cigarette smoke,” Olivia uses the smell of cigarette smoke—which notoriously lingers and is difficult to get rid of—as a metaphor for how hard it is to get over her ex.”
Which is quite a clever metaphor.
I don’t know what else to say, if there is a word bigger than love, I would use it to describe the song. It caught me off guard, because this was not my expectations, but this has gone beyond that.
Lyrics
The metaphors are incredibly clever. A comparison between her ex and cigarette smoke. She is talking about regretting staying so long. She talks about her resentment, a good ending to the album.
Production
I absolutely love the production on this album, this has to be one of my fav albums of the year actually.
Standout Moment
So many thing, but Lyrics. Specially lyrics.
“Some nights can be So fucking lonely But it’s better than begging for you to stand up for me, honeybee”
Replay Value
Another one for the top 5, my playlist is long, but I keep adding.
Even if the album isn’t your thing, I’d still recommend this track.
This has to be a perfect end to the album.
Rating
⭐ 10/10
(Bonus Track) Track 14: [Never do (demo)]
First Listen
This is a bonus acoustic track, it’s not in the album. So I am not sure how I feel about rating it.
Again, it’s an acoustic song, I am not even sure if I heard the correct song, because again, it’s not on Spotify.
Lyrics
This is a perfect other ending of the album. The lyrics are pretty simple; it talks about empty promises in a relationship. I liked this.
Production
It’s an acoustic demo.
Standout Moment
The songwriting really shines here.
“Alone, I feel alone Fresh out of things I can numb myself with on my phone In love, you’re so in love Is that why you went to parties and left me at home for a month?”
Replay Value
I would play it, but the song is not available on streaming sites yet… I think. I heard it on youtube.
If it is available, I’ll play and recommend.
Rating
⭐9.5 /10
Final Thoughts
Best Track: Less or Stupid love (I can’t decide) 💕
Most Underrated: Honeybee (I would say it is a grower, and quite cute)🥰
Strongest Lyrics: Cigarette smoke
Best Production: I think the entire album production is really good and it is really cohesive.
Biggest Surprise: Less
Favorite Three Tracks: Less, The cure, Cigarette smoke
Skip (if any): Right now, maybe “what’s wrong with me?” 🙃
Overall Rating: ⭐8.7/10
Would I Recommend It?: Yes!!🎧
Who would enjoy this album?: My best friend (I am gonna go ask if she have heard this yet)
Would I Listen to This Album Again From Start to Finish?: Yes, I would do it.
Let me know what do you think about the album below 👇🏻💕
I have an issue, I can’t sleep properly at all. Just a couple of days ago I didn’t sleep the whole night and worked until 8pm and then went to sleep at 11pm and woke up at 5am the next day.
I can’t sleep for some reason, so I have started doing a few things.
I start preparing for bed atleast 30mins before wher I would listen to calm music to try and calm myself and do stretching for 10-15 mins.
And then 10mins before bed I set my phone aside and close my eyes. And the next thing I know I am waking up in morning refreshed.
Ladyink with love 