I will first start with this: I’m going to quote a famous female pop star.

But don’t judge this story by the first sentence.

Her words, or personal mantra is something we all need to remember. Hits home too, with everyday life. Here’s why:

Before pop star Demi Lovato took the stage for MTV VMAs performance, a mic caught the singer giving herself a motivational pep talk. Over the live stream, she chanted, “I am enough. I am enough” to a crowd of ready listeners, Lovato unware of the words being broadcasted. Camera, lights, action – she performed. VMAs TV viewers missed the mantra, but the audience did not. The story populated the next day, I caught wind of it.

I’m unfamiliar with this pop star, or most pop stars on the airwaves, only watched the performance on the VMAs (I still watch the VMAs and will do so until I’m 80). Catchy song, stellar voice was my opinion. But her inspirational caught-on mic words stuck with me the last few weeks.

I am enough.

Is my life that crazy I start quoting pop stars I’ve never heard of? Not really, but those words were powerful to me. When a mess in the office blows up, a mess on my kitchen explodes, my stress level rises over something frivolous, some controllable or some not, I find myself saying “I am enough.”

I don’t need to be the perfect mom, if my son is smiling and I’m doing all I can do to provide, I am enough.

If I missed a deadline, but made up for it, I am enough.

If I made a mistake, big or small, I am enough.

I cannot make everyone happy. I’ll do my best and that’s ok for me. Because I am enough.

I made a mistake today. I’m ok with it. I am enough.

Stop mentally beating myself up. Because I am enough.

My jeans are too tight. Not much I can do in 24 hours to fix my weight. I am enough.

I am enough. Keep telling yourself, in those raw moments of confusion and doubt, that you are enough.

I am enough.

A mantra, a way to get through another day. Every little bit counts, saying the words over and over. Mothers, daughters, fathers, and friends don’t have to be perfect. But enough. Perfection is an optical illusion, gratitude is inspiring. Striving for better, but accepting defeat. Finding strength in defeat and knowing the sky is limitless. Too much pressure to perform and be to someone. Ourselves are good enough. If your soul is happy, go for more. If not, stop and take in the moment as it is, and never as it should. We all have those moments. Savor those you want to remember the most. Lessen the load and remember, you are enough.