Recently, I found myself discovering an unexpected parallel in my artistic process with none other than Taylor Swift. It all began when I delved into her music, purely out of curiosity, after reading about how she uses journaling as a significant part of her creative flow. As an artist and writer myself, journaling has always been my way of processing the world—scribbling down thoughts, ideas, or random bits of emotion that eventually shape into something bigger. It turns out Taylor does the same thing, but she turns those journal entries into powerful songs that resonate with millions.
Through this newfound connection, I started listening to more of her music, and to my surprise, I genuinely liked a few songs. But one, in particular, stood out: “Shake It Off.” This song is all about shaking off the players, the haters, and the critics. It's a celebration of resilience, and in her words, shaking off all the negativity with grace. Taylor does this with class, style, and sexiness—everything I respect deeply.
Here’s where our paths diverge, though. I’ve never been one to shake things off easily. I’m the type who remembers things for years, holding on to grudges and sometimes letting those memories simmer far longer than they should. But that’s exactly why I respect her so much. To be able to shake off the negative influences and keep moving forward with grace is no small feat. It’s something I admire, even though I don’t do it myself. Taylor Swift seems to embody this lightness, a kind of untouchable confidence in the face of criticism, and she does it with such style that it’s hard not to be impressed.
In a way, journaling allows me to vent, to express, and to work through things, much like Taylor turns her thoughts into songs. Maybe, in my own way, I’m learning to shake things off—at least on paper.
I guess I can say I’ve come to respect Taylor Swift for more than just her talent; I respect her ability to rise above and shake it all off, even when the world throws shade. And that, to me, is as much a work of art as any masterpiece hanging in a gallery.
So here’s to journaling, music, and learning to shake things off—whether it takes a lifetime or just the length of a song.
by Dan and Bonkers
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