October 24th marked ten years since the release of pop sensation Taylor Swift's debut self-titled album. Throughout the past decade, she's scaled the charts time and time again, selling records like they're going out of style. For many individuals such as myself, Swift's status in the spotlight painted her as a role model for handling the experiences and events that our early years thrust our way. After essentially growing up alongside her and her music, I thought I'd take some time to appreciate some of the important lessons Taylor Swift has taught me along the way.
1. It's never too early to start pursuing your dreams.
We've all gotta start somewhere right? Taylor began her pursuit for a musical career early on, performing covers of famous songs at talent shows and even singing the national anthem at a Philadelphia 76ers game at the age of eleven. By twelve, she was teaching herself to play guitar and writing her own songs. Before too long, Taylor was co-writing for other artists in Nashville, and then she landed a record deal at just sixteen.
2. Being vulnerable is okay.
There's no question that Taylor Swift is known for her expertise at writing about love and its effect on her. She knows that the best way to cope with our emotions is to express them.
3. It's totally fine to be a hopeless romantic. And it's totally fine not to be one too.
Exhibited especially well through the songs Love Storyand White Horse, we can go from feeling like princes and princesses to hardcore realists in a split-second.
4. Dancing well is something we're not all cut out for.
But who cares? As long as we're having fun, our sick moves don't even matter. Own it.
5. Change is always a good thing.
(Especially if it's a costume change.) Throughout her career, we've been able to watch Taylor slowly transition out of her country roots and into the mainstream pop scene. For the entirety of this journey, she hasn't missed a beat of success, proving that a change of pace can really launch us into some great opportunities.
6. Having squad goals is crucial.
Taylor's star-studded friend group is definitely one for the record books. I mean, just check out her insane annual Fourth of July parties. Regardless of celebrity status, it's important to have a close-knit group of friends that we can turn to whenever we need them, whether it be for relationship advice or a casual stroll through flames to defeat our rival squad. No biggie.
7. Haters are gonna hate. We just need to. . .
Probably the most iconic of Taylor's songs, this anthem proves that we can brush past all the negativity and naysayers of the world by dancing forward. No matter how many broken hearts we experience, or how many people doubt our abilities, we can't let anything deter our paths to success.
8. New love will always replace the lost.
No matter how many times we watch a new flame burn out, we can always count on the future intertwining our paths with another someone special. Songs like Taylor's Begin Again exemplify this perfectly, while showcasing those beautiful initial feelings of love.
9. We should never regret being open to loving others.
Taylor once said in a speech, "Letting people in, trusting people, and being generous with your heart: those are beautiful things to do."
Love is not an emotion to regret. Never stop loving.
10. "Nothing safe is worth the drive."
This comes from my favorite song of all time, Treacherous. I've actually got these lyrics tattooed. This simple line has meant more to me than any advice I've ever been given. Nothing substantial will ever come out of avoiding risks, so why would we bypass the chances that come our way? It may be with love, when you know that loving someone deeply could end up destroying you if things go wrong; or with our lives, when you see an opportunity of a lifetime in your future that would require you to leave your comfort zone. We experience situation after situation that tests our eagerness to challenge what we know very well to be difficult. But in hindsight, we always look back with pride at those bold moves we've made: to fall, to run, to jump in, and to take advantage.
Ten years is a long time. Having Taylor Swift as a role model for literally half of my life is something I am beyond grateful for. I wouldn't be the person I am today without learning these lessons along the way.
"This slope is treacherous. And I, I, I like it."