Don’t let those back-to-school nerves get in your way! Demi has conquered a lot over the past few years, so now as Seventeen’s

Guest Editor, she’s sharing all her secrets to help you feel unstoppable.

most confident

have your

year ever!

by demi lovato

On Demi: Pink jacket, Bess NYC; denim button-down

and dark-wash jeans, Topshop; headband, Cult Gaia; silver earcuffs and

studs, Freedom at Topshop; gold earrings, Maya Brenner

Designs; (on right hand) fox ring, Alexis Bittar; large gold

ring, Elena Estaun; zigzag ring, Khai Khai Jewelry; gold pinky ring, Mordekai by Ken

Borochov; (on left hand) moon ring, Hadria; large gold

band, gold pinky ring, and chain bracelet, Mordekai by

Ken Borochov; gold teeth ring, Valentina Kova; gold

nail bracelet and silver and gold bangles, her own; large

link bracelet, CC Skye.

PhotograPhs by ben wattsinterview by amy sPencer edited by lindsay schallon

When I was younger, I struggled with confidence issues, and I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin. Whether I was in school, onstage, or at a red-carpet event, I was concerned about how I looked and wondered if everyone would accept me. I used to think my confidence came from what everyone else thought about me, but now at 21, I realize it comes from how I feel about myself. And as you head back to school, I want you to feel the same way. In the weeks before classes start up again, it’s normal to get a little anxious. Trust me, everyone gets those feelings—but don’t waste your energy stressing out. I’ve learned from my own experience that it just isn’t worth it. Instead, spend your energy finding ways to feel empowered! Set goals and get on your way to achieving them. After all, you can be whoever you want to be in this world. I wish I could go back and tell my teenage self that I was beautiful. But since I can’t, I’m going to say it to you: Every single one of you is unique, beautiful, and worthy of a great life. Consider this year one big opportunity to show everyone who you really are. I know this can be your most confident year ever!

Demi took time out of her photo shoot to write this note to you!

On Demi: Letterman jacket, DKNY; black dress, Urban Outfitters; triangle necklace, her own; red necklace, Wanderluster; purple-and-fuchsia rhinestone necklace, Nocturne.

get dressed for you“The first day of school is a lot like stepping onto the red carpet where people are dressed to the nines—you want to impress everyone! I used to think, I have to look perfect. I can’t have a single flaw. But now, I just make sure to pick an outfit I feel good in. I don’t want to have to be thinking the whole time about what people will say about my look or feeling uncomfortable and tugging at my dress. When you wear what is authentic to your style, you will feel more like the true you and can focus on having fun instead of on whether or not you look ‘right.’ ”

let negativity motivate you“You’re always going to have people who are a**holes to you. I was bullied when I was younger. Most of it was about my weight, and it would bring me down. You have to find a way to funnel those feelings into something proactive. Now if someone says something about me that makes me mad, I’ve learned to take out my frustration in the gym. The idea is to do something that is going to better yourself while you’re trying to get over those resentments. Holding on to them only makes you sick, so it doesn’t do any good to bottle them up.”

find the good side to every bad situation“When I was a teen, every problem I had felt huge. I don’t want to belittle the stuff others go through, but I wish I could have told myself that life wasn’t as hard as I was making it. What I should have done was focus on everything I had to be grateful for. Today when I face something negative, I try to turn it into a positive. For example, before my dad’s funeral, I was thinking, Everything happens for a reason, so why did this happen? I didn’t want to dwell on his death. That’s when I had the idea for a scholarship. [Editor’s note: Demi’s father struggled with addiction, and The Lovato Treatment Scholarship

helps people afford programs for mental health or addiction issues.] Now I can help others by telling them to go to castrecovery.com/lovatotreatmentscholarship and apply for the scholarship.”

lean on your girls for support“My network of women is pretty incredible. I have friends who I can call in the middle of the night just to ask for advice. I’m constantly doing that. It’s like I’ll tell on myself immediately. If I’m sitting in the car with my assistant, who is a friend of mine, I’m like, ‘I’m really bitchy today. I don’t want to be up this early, and I don’t want to go to work today.’ Then she will be like, ‘Okay, well, what are you grateful for?’ That helps me snap out of my bad mood—you need to surround yourself with people who can do that for you.”

don’t get lost in a boy“When you’re in love, you want to spend all of your time with that one person, but it’s important to set aside some time to be apart. When I was younger and I wanted to see my boyfriend all the time, I’d still reserve a night just for my girl friends. It was the same every week. I’d tell my best friend, ‘Okay, Saturday nights are our nights. I’m going to hang out with my boyfriend on Friday nights.’ It gives you more strength to stand on your own two feet in case that person ever disappears from your life.”

things aren’t always going to be easy . . . and that’s okay“Since I went to treatment, there have been days when it’s felt really easy, and I’ve felt great about where I am. But then I have moments when it’s not. That’s life. You can’t just take your mind and your body into the shop and get it fixed. It doesn’t come out repaired. It’s not like a car. It takes time—pace yourself. Every day is a new opportunity to change your life and be who you want to be.”

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From body bullies to self-doubts, these are my tried-and-true secrets to rising above it all and owning it each day.

brave!how to be

Turn the page for even more amazing advice!

On Demi: Leopard kimono jacket, Reverse for

Urban Outfitters; band tee, Chaser Brand; pink

bralette, Cosabella for barenecessities.com; gold

earrings, Maya Brenner Designs; blue necklace, Hadria; chain necklace,

Gerard Yosca; silver necklace, Forest of Chintz.

EvEry day is a nEw opportunity to changE your lifE!

Sometimes when I’m struggling, it makes me feel better to focus on other people. By not

focusing on yourself and your problems, you’re stepping outside of your mind. It makes you feel like you have a purpose. When I give back, i don’t question my self-worth. I know that if my career were to fall apart tomorrow—even if I were to never have money or fame again—I’d still have value in my soul, because I know that I can have an effect on someone else’s life.

when i need a boost, i help others. it puts you in a better place, so you’re grateful for the life you have.

“When I was 13, I’d cancel plans with friends because I was so ashamed of my body. But here’s the thing I’ve learned: Nobody feels confident 24-7. I still have body issues. Some days I’m PMS-ing and bloated and worried that I’m going to look fat, but I have to go onstage in front of 10,000 people. So if you’re feeling anxious, share it with somebody you trust. Try saying, ‘I’m feeling really insecure these days. I don’t know who to talk to.’ It’s so important to be able to voice how you’re feeling in a healthy way. Keeping negativity to yourself will only make things worse.”

the motivator“I like to have friends in my life who believe they’re going places and are working toward their dreams. When you’re growing and the people around you aren’t, that’s when you have to start shedding them. I’ve done that a lot over the past few years, but it has been so worth it, because the people in my life today inspire me to keep being creative, to have fun, and to be a good person.”

the no bs-er“You have to have that friend who is 100 percent honest with you. Like if I say, ‘Do these pants make my thighs look big?’ I want someone who will tell me, ‘Yeah, not flattering. Take them off.’ That kind of friend is also the one who calls you out when you’re doing something stupid. You need that person!”

the Fun chick“Sometimes when you’re really depressed, you want that girl who knows how take your mind off it. She won’t sit there and dwell in it. You can just watch movies together all night, eat junk food, and not judge each other.”

pick your powEr possE my crew has helped me through a ton. these are the kinds of friends every girl needs by her side!

givE Back, fEEl good!

stand up for your BEliEfs

do

don’t

“If you’re speaking out just to engage in cattiness or gossip, that does nothing for you. But when it’s about an issue you really believe in, use your voice. There are times when you just have to put people in their place. The key is to try and do it while being as classy as possible.”

“I’m impulsive when it comes to fighting back, but I’ve learned to reel it in. Tweeting without thinking does more harm than good. So take a second. Journal what you want to say, and then if you still feel the same later, that’s when you can tweet it.”

Demi spent her 21st birthday in Kenya helping kids.

don’t be afraid to speak up for what is right—it makes you feel more confident!

on days you can’t even deal with the mirror, steal the tricks i’ve learned for overcoming toxic thoughts.

scorE total Body confidEncE

pick your BattlEs

Blow up

Demi surrounded by her peeps!

On Demi: Jacket, Diesel; black tee, Chaser Brand; red flannel (tied around waist), Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren; LA hat, Dope.

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Senior Fashion Editor: Annebet Duvall. Hair: Jen Atkin, Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Stylist at The Wall Group. Makeup: Jill Powell at Dew Beauty Agency. Manicure: Stephanie Stone for L’Oréal at Nailing Hollywood.