“I’m alone, on my own. And that’s all I know.

I’ll be strong, I’ll be wrong, oh but life goes on.”

— Taylor Swift; Debut (2006)

Taylor Swift- everyone has heard her name in 2024. A global phenomenon who has repeatedly shattered records after records, have fought for what she believes in and has given us back our girlhood while fighting for her own. But none of these reasons made me a Swiftie. It sure made me believe that we made the right person famous but my admiration for Taylor began way before all of these things happened. I started this journey with a girl who stepped into country music and have continued to this day- when she has become a pop music sensation.

Today I write this blog to pen down how Taylor has unknowingly shaped me to who I am today and how she will continue to do so for million souls out there.

Girlhood. A simple word with a long list of expectations- the burden of which every woman out there has to bear from the moment she is born. We are taught how to smile politely like a woman, how to dress to not catch attention, how to eat, how to speak- and sometimes what exactly to say so that our image of the “good girl” remains unaffected- they really do want that 1950s sh** from us. Taylor shatters those shackles women grow up in. Her discography has shown us that it’s okay to pursue one’s dreams despite the societal shackles. As a woman myself, she is an inspiration. Her life, to some extent, gives us a peek into what is yet to come- her music – a guidebook that tells us time and again to keep going despite the challenges.

Well with the scene set, I can now talk about how Taylor helped me navigate life in particular. As a woman, we are subjected to timelines set according to societal standards-

• graduation by the time we are at least 22
• if we want to pursue Masters- we get admitted to the course as soon as possible
• complete masters by the age of 24

Congratulations! You have arrived at your ideal age of getting married almost! Your “biological clock” is at its prime. Such a timeline haunts us continuously- some of us face this from our families; some from the society and some from both. Like I said in my last blog post- the thought of having my life planned out in advance scares me. Taylor showed me a new reality. She has attained new heights of success with each passing year and she has been in this industry for the past 18 years! It takes a lot of strength to dominate an industry for 18 long years and she has done that with grace. She has helped me redefine my idea of success or the timeline on which I was leading my life – considering myself a failure upon not attaining a particular goal.

However, success did not come to her without obstacles. She did not succeed without struggles, she succeeded despite them- and that is what inspired me and continues to do so every step of the way. In the past few years, life has not been a cakewalk- not only for me but for many people I know. It has taken a lot of courage to get up each morning and give our best. It has taken more than just determination to do that. As for me, it feels like I have lost out more than I have gained. Although I did learn about myself- my limitations, my likes, dislikes, ethics, morals and whatnot- I paid a price. I grew distant from my friends back home as well as my family.

This is not a sob story to say that I have had it difficult in the last few years.This is an acknowledgement of all those efforts by all those people who put on a brave face everyday. This is what Taylor has taught me- to have a positive impact on people’s lives no matter where they are or whether they know you. So if you are feeling lost today- sit down, close your eyes and think about how far you have come, how much you have achieved, how beautifully you have grown despite all the negativity and just remember:

“Everything you lose is a step you take,

So make the friendship bracelets,

Take the moment and taste it,

You got no reason to be afraid

You’re on your own kid,

Yeah you can face this….”

– Taylor Swift “Midnights”, 2022