Heres the thing about Taylor Swift: you either hate her or you love her. And no, thats not a revolutionary idea. Isn't that true of every single one of us? I, personally, fall in the "love her" category, and this is why:When I️ was 15 and a teenager fiercely seeking independence, she released a song that reminded us all to appreciate and love our parents. She pleaded with us to remember that they were the ones who would swoop in and save them every time we needed saving. She reminded us to thank them for protecting us, loving us, and giving us all of our best days.When I️ was 17 trying desperately to recover from years of torture from high school bullies, she released a song about bullies and mean people of all kinds. She talked about not even feeling okay because of all their hurtful words, and most importantly, she emphasized learning to rise above these people and their words to create your own success story.When I️ was 19, she released a song about what it’s like to be in your 20s, to feel "happy free confused and lonely at the same time". To feel like you’re simultaneously living the dream and somehow also feeling isolated and confused. Amen, sister.
When I️ was 21, she released a fun, lighthearted song about not letting the haters get you down. She reminded us to keep dancing, keep living, and keep our lights shining bright. She asked us to brush off hateful comments, judgemental people, and to just keep being unapologetically REAL regardless of what others think.And now, in 2017, in the middle of a messy, messy, world, she releases an album with a message more important and more relevant than ever before. No, I️ can’t say I️ relate to being madly in love, or to saying that I’m doing better now than I️ ever was before, but heres what I️ have learned that I can relate to, and it’s important:No matter what you do, people will always hate you, break you, and make you out to be something you’re not. If you live your life trying to please an audience of millions, you are bound to fail 100% of the time. Sometimes these false perceptions will be an innocent misunderstanding, but other times it’s a result of actual intended malice- people who intend to hurt you, and you let them succeed. They spread this false image of you so far and wide that even YOU begin to believe it’s the truth. And that’s the most dangerous part of all. So at some point in your life, you must make the conscious decision to choose to believe in your true self, and refuse to believe in the "you" that the world has made you out to be. And only when you do that will you achieve true, real, raw, genuine happiness.
Thank you, Taylor, for your music, and your heart, but more than anything, for being willing to spread a message of self-love and acceptance no matter how many people told you to keep quiet.