A lot of people go through rough times. The rough times can be small or large, but we all face them. Everyone uses different coping mechanisms to get through things. Some use art, some use writing, some use music. I personally use listening to music to help me get through rough times. Though what I listen to varies with each situation, these are some of my go to songs that never fail to make me feel better when I am struggling a little bit.

1. "These Times" by Safetysuit

Helpful lyrics: "These times will try hard to define me/ And I'll try to hold my head up high"

These lyrics are eternally helpful for me. A lot of people become defined by their struggles, rather than overcoming those struggles. This song always make me feel like I don't have to be defined by my struggles.

2. "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato

Helpful lyrics: "You can take everything I have/ You can break everything I am/ Like I'm made of glass/ Like I'm made of paper/ Go on and try to tear me down/ I will be rising from the ground/ Like a skyscraper"

This song has always held a very special place for me, mainly because I have been a Demi fan since her Camp Rock days. I was really impacted by her admittance into rehab in 2010. It made me realize how real mental illness is, and even though I was only 13 years old at the time, it floored me that one of my role models had struggled so much. This song was Demi's first post-rehab single, although she recorded it before going into treatment. The symbolism of the lyrics are great, because it is really uplifting to see someone bounce back so happily from bipolar disorder, bullimia, and drug and alcohol abuse.

3. "Unbreakable" by Fireflight

Helpful lyrics: "Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable/ No one can touch me/ Nothing can stop me"

This song is actually a Christian song by a Christian band, but it really does help me feel like I can take on anything. This song has a message of overcoming your obstacles, and not being afraid. These lyrics really talk about learning from your mistakes, and taking those lessons on to things you will experience later in life.

3. "Forever Unstoppable" by Hot Chelle Rae

Helpful lyrics: "All your scars won't heal till you let go/ You're perfectly worth it, forget your mistakes"

This song has a very supportive message. I personally use it to tell my friends and family that I'm there for them. The whole song is about how when someone is broken, the people they love will save them and help them. Not only do I use this song to tell my loved ones that I am here for them, it is also very good for me to hear when I feel like I have nobody.

4. "Hopeless Wanderer" by Mumford & Sons

Helpful lyrics: I will learn, I will learn to love the skies I'm under

This song if more helpful in the aspect that the beat is empowering. Though the lyrics matter, the beat rises and falls in a very calming way and the beat makes you feel empowered, no matter how down in the dumps you may feel.

5. "Gold Steps" by Neck Deep

Helpful lyrics: "You say life has lost it's meaning / And that's true if you believe it / But someday you will stand above your demons"

This whole song is a very great song to listen to if you're feeling down. The whole song is about getting past your hard times and being able to keep your head up and keep going. The song makes you feel like you can conquer any amount of bad times.

6. "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus

Helpful lyrics: "The struggles I'm facing / The chances I'm taking / Sometimes might knock me down / But no, I'm not breaking"

We all remember when Miley released this song, it was ground breaking. But the song and its lyrics are so raw and real, it still helps my college self. The lyrics empowering message of being able to to overcome your problems, even when some of them do best you. The song helps you see that even though you may fail, you'll always get back up.

7. "Defying Gravity" perfomed by Idina Menzel

Helpful lyrics: "I'm through accepting limits 'cause someone says they're so / Some things I cannot change but 'til I try, I'll never know!"

This song is great motivation for conquering your fears and overcoming obstacles. It's a very good way to tell yourself you can do anything. I used to listen to it before drama club performances in high school because it made me feel like my stage fright could easily be conquered.

8. "I Defy" by Tonight Alive

Helpful lyrics: "You think that you own me / But you'll never take the best of me / Cause I am the only / One to create my destiny / I'm not afraid to cross the line / You will break as I defy"

Tonight Alive is no stranger to songs that motivate and face a lot of issues based in rough times. This song, however, has a different tone than some of their other songs regarding hard times. This song is entirely about how you can defy everyone's expectations of you, especially the ones that are lower than they should be.

9. "Get Lost, Find Yourself" by Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!

Helfdul lyrics: "Somewhere in between the end and the beginning / I found a way to finally / Pick up the pieces of the mess I used to be / And sail away to nowhere"

C!NCC is a band that is typically harder rock, but this song is an acoustic ballad all about finding yourself while losing yourself. Sometimes you get lost in life and hard times you face, but in that time you find out who you really are and the person you really are. The hardest times are the most revealing.

10. "Save Myself" by Ed Sheeran

Helpful lyrics: "So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself"

This song is especially helpful for someone like me, who is always trying to put others first. This song is very much about being able to be selfish sometimes. This song just really helps you realize that it's okay to be more worried about yourself than others sometimes. Self care is one of the most important things to do.

11. "Lighters" by Bad Meets Evil ft. Bruno Mars

Helpful lyrics: "You and I know what it's like to be kicked down / Forced to fight / But tonight, we're alright / So hold up your lights / Let it shine"

This song is a rap song, where the two rappers in the song are talking about the things they faced before they got successful. The chorus is about the people who stick by you even in your hard times. It's a song that always reminds me that no matter what I am facing, I'm not alone. I have awesome people to help me through my hard times.

12. "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World

Helpful lyrics: "It just takes some time / Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride / Everything, everything will be just fine / Everything, everything will be alright, alright."

This whole song is about overcoming others thoughts about you. You can't go through life trying to impress everyone else. The whole song is a really good motivational song to make you feel like you're fine, even if you don't line up with everyone else.

Music is a great way to cope with the different curve balls life throws you, and these are just a few songs to help any hurting soul through hard times.