Thank U, Next.
Originally published on my www.kesifelton.com blog
November 5, 2018
At barely three days old, Ariana Grande’s latest song “thank u, next” has already proven to be a post-breakup anthem. The second verse specifically resonated with me the most:
“Spend more time with my friends/ I ain’t worried ‘bout nothing/ Plus I met someone else/ We having better discussions/ I know they say I move on too fast/ But this one gon’ last/ ‘Cause her name is Ari/ And I’m so good with that”
For me, this song represents the most impactful moment one has on their journey towards self-love, the moment of deciding to fully commit to a relationship with...yourself. A relationship that requires you to nurture it through growth, storms, sickness + health, ‘til death do you part.
While on the surface it may seem hard to relate to the song because of Ariana’s direct mentions of her exes, which at the same time make the song contextually that much more meaningful, I think the more I listen to it and see its breadth of impact on listeners, I realize how directly it speaks to all of our personal experiences in spite of that.
“Thank u, next,” not just as a song but a mantra, shows me the importance of being grateful for not just the people, but experiences and lessons that have grown you and shaped you into the person you currently are, and how all of those things have positioned you to take on the next chapters of your life with greater wisdom, insight and self-knowledge. It is a phrase that reminds me to always remain thankful instead of resentful, appreciative but unattached.
"thank u, next” reminds me that the decision to remain stuck in the past or move forward with confidence and hope lies in my hands alone. Besides being a complete bop, it definitely affirms where I think a lot of us are on our individual paths to self-love. So to Ariana, as a newly devoted #MochaGrande, thank you for “thank u, next” it was definitely needed.
–kf
