So it's been two months since Taylor Swift released her newest album reputation. I bought it off of iTunes the day it came out (thanks to leftover money from iTunes gift cards via Christmas 2k14). I sat down and listened to it the whole way through like the avid fan I am... and afterward, I was simply upset. I didn't like it.

Just like when "Look What You Made Me Do" and "...Ready For It?" came out, I found myself disappointed and confused. It sounds silly, but I felt like I didn't know who I was anymore. I listened to 1989 and Taylor Swift so much that her music was part of my identity. And now... it wasn't?

The songs were instrument heavy and I felt like I was being yelled at for 14 songs. The saving grace of the album was the finale of the album, "New Year's Day." It gave me old Taylor vibes and was a drastic change from the angst and anger carried throughout the rest of the album. It was dreamy and soft, a perfect ending.

I had so much pride in loving Taylor's music that I couldn't give up on reputation that easily. So continued to listen to it while walking to class and eventually I could listen to it without cringing too badly... in fact, as with the pre-releases, the more I listened to it, the more I liked it.

I don't know whether it's because I am simply fickle or because it is human nature to want to like something so badly, but the album grew on me. I bopped to my favorites ("Gorgeous," "Dress," "Call It What You Want," and "New Year's Day") and even found myself singing along to my lesser favorites. Existential crisis averted: I do, in fact, still love Taylor Swift's music.

December rolled around and I came home for winter break. I don't have a car at school, so I was beyond excited to get behind the wheel again and blare my music. I got home, plugged in my phone, and prepared myself to experience reputation in its best form.

In my first drive at home, I got to listen to the entire album at extremely loud volumes. I was able to sing my heart out and mess up the lyrics more than I knew I could. And it was so much fun. I realized that I had come to enjoy every song on the album. Sure, I definitely didn't relate to all the songs and I think a lot of them are super dramatic, but honestly, it didn't matter. The album was fun. It was a bop.

While I still don't know all the lyrics to every song, I can now begin to sing the next song on the album before the previous one ends. I might not relate to every song, but you bet that I will sing and dance along to it in the car as if I do relate to it (just ask all the people that see me and give me concerned looks while I'm driving).

Two months after its release, I love reputation. I love each song for what it is, and after listening to it on repeat for 60 days, I am not even close to being tired of it.

I have my identity back, and I am so so glad. A lot of people give me crap about listening to Taylor Swift, but I have so much pride in it because her music just flips a switch in me and I can truly be my wacky self while listening to it. On bad days, I can turn T-Swift on and my frown turns upside down, whether it be because I find a song I can relate to or simply a song to help me forget. On good days, her anthems sing to my soul and make me smile even wider. And finding something that does that is truly amazing.

reputation might not be for everyone, but it's a thumbs up in my book.