Never, even in my Wildest Dreams, did I think that I would be writing this article. Just like the millions of other Taylor Swift fans out there, the news of her breakup from Scottish DJ, Calvin Harris, ripped the hope right out of my heart. The couple had been together for 15 months, (practically an eternity in Hollywood), and captured their romance through pictures of inflatable swans and handmade snowmen that graced our Instagram timelines. If you’re like me, and this breakup made you reminisce about relationships in general, then you know there are some lessons we can learn here. Even if it's only been a few weeks since the Bad Blood between Tay and Cal erupted, if you look closely at their relationship you can see where the earth began to tremble before they had their seismic breakup. Taylor’s own lyrical genius has helped millions of young girls cope with disappointments, so it’s only appropriate to see what we can learn from her relationships in addition to her lyrics.
The first lesson we can learn from This Love is that even the most attractive looking couples don’t always have the most attractive looking future together. Let’s be honest. Taylor and Calvin were like this visual masterpiece that sent teenage girls swooning the moment they were photographed holding hands on the street. They were both tall. Both blond. Both gorgeous. It’s natural for us to assume that just because people look like they have the picture perfect romance, that they must automatically have a picture perfect life as well. How many times have we all seen couples take the most romantic pictures, but then when you hear what their relationship is really like, you wonder why they even posed for a picture to begin with? We can’t let Instagram likes and Twitter favorites beguile our perception of reality. A nice picture doesn’t equate to a nice life. Anyone can pose for a sunset bikini picture and look happy, but the real test is feeling just as good as you look.
Secondly, Taylor and Calvin have also taught us that we can’t lose sight of ourselves even when we’re committed to someone else. After the breakup rumors began to run rampant through the tabloids, it became evident that the once harmonious lovebirds no longer shared the same melody. People change. And that’s completely okay. But what’s not okay is for you to act like nothing’s changed if something undoubtedly has. Sources say that Taylor wanted more of a commitment, and Calvin was content with where they were. So why should either one of them stay in a committed relationship if it wasn’t what they truly wanted? This reiterates the notion that no one should have to sacrifice their individual happiness for the convenience of their partner. True love requires not only an initial infatuation, but a perpetual progression of desires and dreams. If you’re not on the same page after 15 months, you definitely won’t be on the same page after 15 years.
Also, the T-Swift and C-Har breakup has taught us all how easy it can be to Begin Again. It was only weeks after the breakup became official, that Taylor and her new beau, Tom Hiddleston, were photographed cuddling together on the picturesque Rhode Island shore. Many people, myself included, were shocked to see how quickly she moved on from such a serious Love Story. But Taylor, once again, taught us that feeling bad for yourself gets you nowhere. Sure, she could be brokenhearted, depressed, and pining over a shirtless Calvin Harris. Or, she could Shake It Off with a sexy British actor who likes to dance and was immediately captivated by her personality. Sometimes it takes a completely new perspective, or in this case, a completely new person, to make you realize you’re not truly happy where you are. And if that happens, roll with it. You’ll be surprised where it takes you.
