1. When you’re feeling pessimistic
Listen to: “With a Smile and a Song” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Sing it: “There’s no use in grumbling when the raindrops come tumbling. Remember, you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine.”
Snow White might not be the most empowered Disney princess in the bunch, but she knew how to cheer herself up even after almost being stabbed by a huntsman and getting lost in the woods.
2. When you lose faith in your dream
Listen to: “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from Cinderella
Sing it: “No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.”
Poor Cinderella has been dealt so many blows—losing her father, being bossed around by her ghastly stepmother and nasty stepsisters, and having only animals to keep her company through it all—but she just sucks it all up and continues to do her thang, trusting that life will eventually get better.
3. When you want to make a big change
Listen to: “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid
Sing it: “Bright young women, sick of swimming, ready to stand!”
Headstrong Ariel knows what she wants, and homegirl goes for it. Granted, what she did was a liiiittle extreme—trading in her voice and abandoning her family for a pair of legs valid only for, what, three days?—but at least she had the guts to go through with it.
4. When you know you’re meant for something greater
Listen to: “Little Town” from Beauty and the Beast
Sing it: “There must be more than this provincial life!”
Belle ain’t down with just rotting away in her sleepy little village and shacking up with the hottest dude in town, no sir. This girl knows she’s better than that, and is not afraid to stick out like a sore thumb in her community.
5. When you’re determined to find out what else life has to offer
Listen to: “Just Around the Riverbend” from Pocahontas
Sing it: “What’s around the riverbend? Waiting just around the riverbend?”
Pocahontas leads a pretty comfy life as a chief’s daughter about to be married off to the brave Kocoum, but she has always wondered about her true path. This badass babe fearlessly follows her heart—even if it means turning down a life with the dreamy John Smith in favor of a bigger purpose. (Sigh.)
6. When you’re having an identity crisis
Listen to: “Reflection” from Mulan
Sing it: “Somehow I cannot hide who I am, though I’ve tried.”
Mulan knows deep down that she isn’t cut out to be some blushing bride, and her inner conflict leads her to pretend to be a man so she can take her elderly father’s place in the army, ultimately helping the Chinese warriors defeat the Huns. Lesson learned: Magpakatotoo ka, girl.
7. When you need that extra push to meet your goals
Listen to: “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog
Sing it: “Trials and tribulations, I’ve had my share. There ain’t nothin’ gonna stop me now ‘cause I’m almost there.”
Independent chick Tiana has been werking nonstop to realize her dream of opening a restaurant, and she lets nothing—not exhaustion, not disappointments, not even one fun night out with friends—get in the way.
8. When you need the courage to escape an oppressive job, relationship, or situation
Listen to: “When Will My Life Begin (Reprise)” from Tangled
Sing it: “Now’s when my life begins!”
After spending nearly her whole life locked away in a high tower by her mother-slash-kidnapper, Rapunzel finally finds the courage to escape with the help of Flynn Rider, and eventually discovers that she’s actually—*drumroll*—a princess! See what happens when you just make that leap?
9. When you long to be free from other people’s expectations
Listen to: “Touch the Sky” from Brave
Sing it: “I will ride, I will fly, chase the wind and touch the sky!”
Merida is not your regular princess—this fiery tomboy loves adventure, is a total badass at archery, and refuses to be married off to any of the sons of her father’s allies. By the end of the movie, she has convinced not just her family, but the allied clans, to break the antiquated marriage tradition.
10. When you’re finally turning your back on the things that drag you down
Listen to: “Let It Go” from Frozen
Sing it: “I’m never going back, the past is in the past!”
Elsa’s heartfelt song about finally living on her own terms is a grade-A empowerment anthem. And unlike many Disney chicks, nowhere in the movie does Elsa even seek to lock down a mate; she just wants, ultimately, to be her own woman. TOTAL KWEEN.
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