New Year, Badder Bitch: Your Go-To Guide to Level Up This Year

Hey girlfriend! One of the most played songs on my annual curated playlist is Metro Boomin and Future’s anthem, “Luv Bad Bitches.”It’s become my self-proclaimed theme song, a reminder to channel my inner Queen Bitch. Just like Beyoncé has Sasha Fierce and Megan Thee Stallion has Tina Snow, each of us has an inner baddie—our she-wolf—waiting to be unleashed.

But what does it mean to be a “bad bitch,” really?

What Is a Bad Bitch?

To define what a bad bitch is, it helps to start with what she’s not. In the song, Future says, “I like good girls, but I love bad bitches.” A bad bitch isn’t rude, stuck up, or condescending. She doesn’t bully or belittle others or carry herself as if she’s better than anyone else. She is still a good girl at heart—polite, kind, and conscientious—but she’s also so much more. A bad bitch is comfortable in her own skin and confident in her abilities. She takes risks, holds herself accountable, and knows her worth. She’s kind, but she stands firm when her boundaries are crossed. When she walks into a room, she does so with her head held high, unafraid to be seen because she shows up as her authentic self. She forces the world to meet her where she is, not where it expects her to be. We like good girls for their grace, modesty, and ability to make others feel comfortable. But we love bad bitches for their audacity, confidence, and refusal to shrink themselves for anyone.

How to Be a Bad Bitch

Want to embrace your inner baddie? Here’s how:

1. Know Thyself

Greek philosopher Socrates once said, “Know thyself.” This simple, ancient wisdom remains deeply relevant today.

• Understand your fears, insecurities, and bad habits.

• Recognize your talents, interests, and unique quirks.

• Identify your boundaries and the things you’ll no longer tolerate.

When you truly know yourself, you hold the power to chart your own path.

2. Improve Thyself

A bad bitch is always evolving.

• Take care of your health—mind, body, and spirit.

• Work on your weaknesses while building up your strengths.

• Pursue education, whether formal or through life experiences.

Enjoy the process of becoming your best self. Growth isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress.

3. Always Be Thyself

Flaunt your flaws and embrace your imperfection. In a world that constantly pressures us to copy and paste curated lifestyles from celebrities and influencers, being authentic is an act of rebellion.

• Stay curious and open to growth, accepting that you don’t know everything. And when others seek your knowledge, share it graciously.

• When you need rest, don’t let fear of missing out (FOMO) force you into places you don’t want to be.

• Discover what truly feels good for you—and pursue it ruthlessly.

Show up and take up space unapologetically.

Real-Life Bad Bitches

From Kehlani’s fearless advocacy for Palestine to Megan Thee Stallion’s resilience in the face of public scrutiny, bad bitches are all around us. Demi Lovato. Lindsay Lohan. And yes, you.

These women are brave, unapologetically themselves, and proof that bad bitches come in many forms.

As the late Nikki Giovanni so beautifully put it:

“... I even used to think I'd be the one

to stop the riot and

negotiate the peace

then I awoke and dug

that if I dreamed natural

dreams of being a natural

woman doing what a woman

does when she's natural

I would have a revolution.”

So embrace your inner revolution. Find your inner Queen Bitch. And let the world love you, flaws and all.