The 3 Words Demi Lovato Said Before Her VMA Performance We All Need to Hear

Before taking stage at the MTV Video Music Awards to perform her summer hit “Cool for the Summer,” Demi Lovato’s mic picked up the star repeating some words of encouragement — words that could benefit us all.

“I am enough,” she repeated to herself. “I am enough.”

Demi saying “I am enough” before her #VMA performance (her mic audio was being played over the stream) pic.twitter.com/oq4moTpSGH

— Demi Lovato News (@itsohsodemi) August 31, 2015

These words are powerful, especially considering how open the 23-year-old has been about her her bipolar disorder diagnosis and experiences with eating disorders. The mental health advocate was recently named a celebrity spokesperson of the Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health campaign.

In an interview this past May, Lovato told Refinery29 that personal mantras are her favorite tool for getting through the day with a mental illness. “I don’t think I could choose just one favorite one,” she told Refinery29. “I have so many favorite mantras and quotes that I put them in a book.”

Although positive self-talk can’t magically “cure” a mental illness, knowing you are enough is a good way to start feeling better.