'Bellyache' is totally fictional. I like writing about things

“'Bellyache' is totally fictional. I like writing about things that aren't real. The song is about not trusting anyone and then putting trust in yourself and realizing that you don't know what you are doing, either. Or realizing that things you do with a group of people that you think are cool in the moment are ultimately all on you.” In these words, Billie Eilish captures the essence of a truth that resonates deeply within the human experience: self-doubt, disillusionment, and the painful realization that our actions—though often influenced by others—are ultimately our own responsibility. The idea of a “bellyache,” something painful but elusive, symbolizes the inner turmoil that comes from feeling lost in the world, from doubting others and, most poignantly, from doubting oneself.

In times long past, the great sages and philosophers would speak of the inner journey, a path fraught with doubts and uncertainties, where the seeker must face the illusion of the world and come to grips with the fact that no one—no matter how wise—has all the answers. Socrates himself, though revered for his wisdom, often spoke of knowing nothing. His humility echoed the sentiment that even the greatest minds, when stripped of their pride, realize that there is much about life that cannot be understood, and that self-reliance becomes a necessity. Billie Eilish, in her art, echoes this same realization, where the very things we think we understand—be they the trust we place in others or the actions we take in the company of those we admire—are ultimately futile if they do not come from a place of authentic self-trust.

Much like the mythological hero Odysseus, who embarked on a long and treacherous journey home, only to realize that the true battle was within, Billie’s lyrics remind us that the greatest challenges we face are not with the world outside, but within our own hearts. Odysseus struggled not only against the forces of nature but also with the truth of his own limitations and desires. His journey home was symbolic of a larger quest for wisdom—not wisdom in the external sense, but wisdom about his own self, his actions, and his responsibility. It is this universal truth that Billie Eilish so poetically expresses: that we are responsible for our actions, even when influenced by the people around us.

Yet, her message is not one of despair, but of awakening. The realization that we don’t know what we are doing is not a sign of failure, but of growth. The wisdom of the ancients teaches us that the moment we stop pretending to know everything, the moment we embrace our ignorance, we are truly on the path to wisdom. Laozi, the great Taoist sage, spoke of the power of not knowing, of embracing the mystery of life and trusting the process, rather than relying on rigid expectations or external validation. In the same way, Billie Eilish's reflection reveals the paradox of trusting ourselves while acknowledging our imperfections. It is through this paradox that we grow, and it is this paradox that leads us to find true self-reliance.

The lesson that Billie Eilish’s words impart is clear: to live authentically, one must confront the truth that not all is in our control, and the forces around us—be they people, circumstances, or societal expectations—may often mislead us. But even so, we hold the power. The actions we take, the trust we place, and the choices we make ultimately belong to us. This wisdom is echoed in the lives of many who, after making mistakes or following the wrong paths, learned that true growth comes from accepting the consequences of their own actions and using those experiences to shape a better future. Self-awareness and self-forgiveness are key to this transformation.

Therefore, let us take this lesson into our own lives: we must learn to trust not just the voices of others, but our own inner voice. When the world feels uncertain, when we stand in the presence of others who seem to have it all figured out, we must remember that the journey of self-discovery is a lifelong one. It is not about knowing all the answers, but about embracing the questions and walking through life with an open heart. Trust yourself, not because you have all the answers, but because in the end, you are the one who must live with the consequences of your choices. And it is in taking ownership of those choices that we find our true strength and wisdom.

Let us not shy away from the bellyaches of life—the discomfort, the doubt, the uncertainty. These are not signs of failure, but of our humanity. They are the catalysts for our growth, the forces that push us to confront our fears and trust ourselves. Just as Billie Eilish has done through her music, let us embrace the complexity of our own stories, knowing that the journey is just as important as the destination. The path of self-reliance is not without its struggles, but it is the path to becoming whole, to becoming the person we are meant to be.