My Gen X Playlist: Lose Yourself – Eminem

I remember meeting with a colleague and she surprised me when she said:

I like how you run into the fire when faced with challenges. You’re fearless.

I thanked her for the generous compliment but had to disclose to her that the real motivation wasn’t bravery, but fear itself. Fear with dealing with the aftermath if I did nothing at all. Plus the sheer weight of responsibility made me move forward even when I thought I couldn’t. I look back and sometimes wonder where that person has gone.

I’ve noticed recently I’ve been leaning more towards flight rather than fight. No, I’m not exactly running away, but I don’t find myself running into the fire like I used to. I sat myself down the other day and had an honest conversation with myself. Time to change.

When I thought about it, I began to understand that it feels worse sitting idly by obsessing and doing nothing. The fear seems to well up in my head and my mind goes in directions that eventually paralyzes me. I get like that for a while until I can’t anymore and I kick myself in the ass.

I noticed once I start some kind of action, any kind of action, the uneasiness begins to subside. The momentum of doing something eventually takes over and I become focused on dealing rather than the fear itself. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still there and I stray into moments of dread and anxiety. But I think the very notion of doing something helps calm my nerves, trying to take back control instead of feeling out of it. It’s not easy picking myself up and taking that first step. Scary, but less scary than hiding under a cover of dread.

I now try to encourage myself to lean in instead of stewing in my head. It’s not easy. Maybe it’s my age and I’ve simply lost a little energy over the years. Or it’s possible my priorities have changed and my career means less to me than before. Bottom line is I know I’ve changed. But still, I need to find some middle ground. I’m going to lean into my fears and see if I can make a shift. I may never go back to my former self, but I like the thought of at least inching closer back to the old me.

The songs that initially came to mind were Stronger by Kelly Clarkson and Fight Song by Rachel Platten. Truth be told, I do like both of those songs but they didn’t really fit my mood. Lose Yourself by Eminem seemed more like a better fit.

Eminem’s Lose Yourself is a song that has inspired millions of people across the globe. It’s not just an iconic rap anthem; it’s a message of hope, resilience, and self-belief. Released in 2002, the track became an instant hit, thanks to its powerful lyrics, driving beat, and motivational tone. But what truly sets Lose Yourself apart is its ability to speak directly to the struggles and challenges everyone faces. Whether you’re pursuing a dream, battling fear, or overcoming obstacles, Lose Yourself pushes you to step up and take action.

VocalMedia

It’s funny. I literally write something and then go search for a song I like. Many times I’m just hoping a find a backstory that remotely connects. This one hits squarely on the nose. Plus it doesn’t hurt that I liked the movie 8 Mile. Turns out this song helped a few others out there as well.

My wife went back for her degree at age 50. She played this in the car every day, on the freeway heading to class, to get her confidence up and inspire herself and in the end she graduated with honors.

YouTube comment by Lawyerboyleslie72

Man I am at a point in life where I have screwed up a lot of things and missed my shots and now backed into a corner. I have been a failure. Only because I wasn’t able to overcome my shortcomings and excuses. I have not lived upto my potential and let life pass by while I stood still. But today something broke inside of me. I don’t want to live like this anymore. I am going to seize the opportunity and conquer the day. I am listening to Eminem. I know I am not alone. I refuse to live this way. No longer. Thank you Eminem for your gift to the mankind. It really helps to know that I am not alone in this journey.

YouTube comment

This song got me through college. Every day, I felt like I wanted to give up and just quit, every time it felt like the stress of the moment was beginning to get me down, this song gave me the inspiration to keep fighting.

YouTube comment by MrJLov13

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment
Would you capture it, or just let it slip?

Yo! His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There's vomit on his sweater already: Mom's spaghetti
He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready
To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgetting
What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud
He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out
He's choking, how? Everybody's joking now
The clock's run out, time's up, over, blaow!
Snap back to reality, ope there goes gravity, ope
There goes Rabbit, he choked, he's so mad but he won't
Give up that easy, no, he won't have it, he knows
His whole back's to these ropes, it don't matter, he's dope
He knows that but he's broke, he's so stagnant, he knows
When he goes back to this mobile home, that's when it's
Back to the lab again yo, this whole rhapsody
Better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him, and

You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better…

His soul's escaping through this hole that is gaping
This world is mine for the taking, make me king
As we move toward a New World Order
A normal life is boring; but superstardom's
Close to post-mortem, it only grows harder
Homie grows hotter, he blows, it's all over
These hoes is all on him, coast-to-coast shows
He's known as the Globetrotter, lonely roads
God only knows, he's grown farther from home, he's no father
He goes home and barely knows his own daughter
But hold your nose, 'cause here goes the cold water
These hoes don't want him no mo', he's cold product
They moved on to the next schmoe who flows
He nose-dove and sold nada, and so the soap opera
Is told, it unfolds, I suppose it's old, partner
But the beat goes on: da da dum da dum da da da da

You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better…

No more games, I'ma change what you call rage
Tear this motherfuckin' roof off like two dogs caged
I was playin' in the beginning, the mood all changed
I've been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage
But I kept rhymin' and stepped right in the next cypher
Best believe somebody's payin' the Pied Piper
All the pain inside amplified by the
Fact that I can't get by with my 9-to-5
And I can't provide the right type of life for my family
'Cause man, these goddamn food stamps don't buy diapers
And there's no movie, there's no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life
And these times are so hard, and it's gettin' even harder
Tryna feed and water my seed, plus teeter-totter
Caught up between bein' a father and a prima donna
Baby mama drama, screamin' on her, too much for me to wanna
Stay in one spot, another day of monotony's
Gotten me to the point I'm like a snail, I've got
To formulate a plot or end up in jail or shot
Success is my only motherfuckin' option, failure's not
Mom, I love you, but this trailer's got
To go; I cannot grow old in Salem's Lot
So here I go, it's my shot: feet, fail me not
This may be the only opportunity that I got

You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better…

You can do anything you set your mind to, man