12 Breakup Anthems That Gave Me Life In 2018 & Made Me Say, "Thank U, Next"

I don't think I've ever seen the world come together to celebrate their exes quite like they did when Grande released this stunning single. I personally don't have much to thank my exes for, but I do thank Ari's exes for inspiring this masterpiece.

Grammy-nominated Chloe x Halle are a fantastic duo of sisters that have truly floored the audiences this year. The video for this song is also full of some of the glitteriest makeup looks I've ever seen. They celebrate the healing process in this beautiful duet featuring Joey Bada$$, and for that, I celebrate them.

This song... this song. Hayley Kiyoko flipped the script on the age-old song about how a person's ex is seeing someone else. She exudes simultaneous confidence and vulnerability, that is simply contagious.

Maggie Rogers consistently delivers ballads full of vulnerable soul-searching, turning the sourness of being lonely into something much more bittersweet. "Light On" speaks to the art of accepting something is over, while paying tribute to the emotions one feels along the way.

Being the one to end a relationship is confusing and challenging in its own right. Troye Sivan's "The Good Side" speaks to exactly that experience in this lilting, nostalgic ballad.

Halsey floored fans this year with the deeply vulnerable release. Her music is always bold and honest, and this takes it to a whole new level. And for that, I am very grateful.

Jess Glynne's "Nevermind" is an unsung breakup ballad of 2018. If you have anything left unsaid in your past relationship, Glynne gets that — and lays it all out in this song. Her honesty is as inspiring as her energy, which is to say: pretty amazing.

I would be remiss if I didn't add Cardi B to this list of remarkable breakup anthems released this year. "Be Careful" is truly iconic in the way she confidently, like the bad*ss she is, lays out what she deserves in a relationship.

TBH, I don't know what 2018 did to deserve Billie Eilish's greatness but I am glad that the world has been blessed with her art. I was shaken to my core earlier this year when I found out she's only 16! It's so important to see teens validated in their art, especially Eilish's amazing work. This video was based on a piece of fan art that inspired her so much, she brought it to life.

Kacey Musgraves was 2018's sweetheart, and I am so grateful for her. Her Grammy-nominated album Slow Burn had some fantastic songs. One of my favorites from her album is "Space Cowboy" where she lets someone go that honestly wasn't treating her the way she should be treated. That's one lesson everyone can take into 2019.

Khalid and Normani blessed us with this breakup anthem early this year, but it has not been forgotten. Their duet presents so many of the different ways two people can be drawn to each other but not necessarily right for one another.

"Ignore Me" came out just days after my first breakup of the year. I was so... bummed. But Betty Who truly came to my rescue. This song took the vulnerable experience of being dumped and turned it into an empowering moment of self-love.

Hopefully, as you reflect on your experiences in 2018, you've learned a thing or two about yourself despite going through some tough stuff. Breakups happen, and they can be super hard but, like Grande expertly put it, you can end up learning so much about yourself in the process of healing. And so, to 2018 I say, "Thank u, next."