Exactly that! I have not been open to Taylor Swift only because she's so popular, but I can see there is an empowerment many women feel through her music. Now I want to know why ... Where to begin?
Yes! Here! We absolutely want "non-Swifites" to join us for this workshop so get a flavor for her music through a really specific emotional lens of looking at our lives! And I have to say, i recommend listening to Folklore and Evermore first. They absolutely hooked me. Maybe I need to make a "Taylor Essentials Playlist" for new listeners! Oh my gosh I'm totally doing that lol. Stay tuned. ❤️
This is fabulous! It really speaks to that critical voice in my head telling me only certain feelings are worth writing about. Now I am questioning that voice. Thank you.
Oh wow, am I ever in my tortured poets era at 47 years old.
Our local art museum recently hosted a women's book art exhibit with an interactive corner called Unapologetic. Visitors had the chance to write their own ways on the wall ("aging," "divorced," "saying no," etc.) and create stickers and buttons that all ended with the phrase, "and I'm not apologetic." I came away with "I'm more than you think" on a button. Now I want to make one that says "I'm unrestrained, imprecise, and unnecessarily verbose (and I'm not apologetic)"
This was exquisite in it's truth Steph. I listen to her music now with a nostalgia I didn't have before. I am learning that she is open and closed in equal measure but she writes with her veins open. It leaks and seeps and at times, just pours out. There are not enough hands to catch it, not enough tears to staunch it.
Reading this was extraordinary. Thank you for helping me put words to my feelings.
This was exquisite in it's truth Steph. I listen to her music now with a nostalgia I didn't have before. I am learning that she is open and closed in equal measure but she writes with her veins open. It leaks and seeps and at times, just pours out. There are not enough hands to catch it, not enough tears to staunch it.
Reading this was extraordinary. Thank you for helping me put words to my feelings.
And oh my gosh you phrased that so beautifully, the “open and closed in equal measure but writes with her veins open.” You expressed that so perfectly.
Love this ... "I mean, I’m a writer and a music therapist: shouldn’t my standards mandate exclusive enjoyment of obscure indie artists with complex musical structure and subversive political narratives?"
Relates to a note I shared this week in which I said: I remember in high school always feeling like I never knew obscure enough bands to fit in with the people who didn’t fit in 🤣 returning to grad school in my forties I love that I feel absolutely no need for pretension and own all of my parts including both the obscure and super mainstream interests. My seventeen year old self wouldn’t get it but I am glad to show her it’s actually okay.
I love this: "I think there is another angle to Taylor Swift’s “self-indulgent” lyrics; we forget the generosity inherent in this type of self-indulgence. By reflecting her deeply personal life experiences and emotions, she gives us permission to do the same."
Thank you so much for writing this and for sharing the brilliant letter by Ashley Fetyko. So much of what I’m seeing in response to TTPD is brimming with entitled pettiness, undisguised projection, and blatantly gendered critique. I’m 49 and didn’t become a T. Swift fan until 2020. Since then, her music has been truly healing - TTPD included.
Hi there- as a midlife woman out of the loop can someone please tell me where to start getting to know Taylor Swift’s music???!
Exactly that! I have not been open to Taylor Swift only because she's so popular, but I can see there is an empowerment many women feel through her music. Now I want to know why ... Where to begin?
Yes! Here! We absolutely want "non-Swifites" to join us for this workshop so get a flavor for her music through a really specific emotional lens of looking at our lives! And I have to say, i recommend listening to Folklore and Evermore first. They absolutely hooked me. Maybe I need to make a "Taylor Essentials Playlist" for new listeners! Oh my gosh I'm totally doing that lol. Stay tuned. ❤️
This is fabulous! It really speaks to that critical voice in my head telling me only certain feelings are worth writing about. Now I am questioning that voice. Thank you.
That makes me so happy. ♥️
Love this.
Oh wow, am I ever in my tortured poets era at 47 years old.
Our local art museum recently hosted a women's book art exhibit with an interactive corner called Unapologetic. Visitors had the chance to write their own ways on the wall ("aging," "divorced," "saying no," etc.) and create stickers and buttons that all ended with the phrase, "and I'm not apologetic." I came away with "I'm more than you think" on a button. Now I want to make one that says "I'm unrestrained, imprecise, and unnecessarily verbose (and I'm not apologetic)"
Yes!! And especially not apologetic. ♥️
This was exquisite in it's truth Steph. I listen to her music now with a nostalgia I didn't have before. I am learning that she is open and closed in equal measure but she writes with her veins open. It leaks and seeps and at times, just pours out. There are not enough hands to catch it, not enough tears to staunch it.
Reading this was extraordinary. Thank you for helping me put words to my feelings.
This was exquisite in it's truth Steph. I listen to her music now with a nostalgia I didn't have before. I am learning that she is open and closed in equal measure but she writes with her veins open. It leaks and seeps and at times, just pours out. There are not enough hands to catch it, not enough tears to staunch it.
Reading this was extraordinary. Thank you for helping me put words to my feelings.
Oh, Kirsten, thank you so much. That really means so much to me.
And oh my gosh you phrased that so beautifully, the “open and closed in equal measure but writes with her veins open.” You expressed that so perfectly.
Love this ... "I mean, I’m a writer and a music therapist: shouldn’t my standards mandate exclusive enjoyment of obscure indie artists with complex musical structure and subversive political narratives?"
Relates to a note I shared this week in which I said: I remember in high school always feeling like I never knew obscure enough bands to fit in with the people who didn’t fit in 🤣 returning to grad school in my forties I love that I feel absolutely no need for pretension and own all of my parts including both the obscure and super mainstream interests. My seventeen year old self wouldn’t get it but I am glad to show her it’s actually okay.
Yes! You totally nailed it with the high school commentary.
I love this: "I think there is another angle to Taylor Swift’s “self-indulgent” lyrics; we forget the generosity inherent in this type of self-indulgence. By reflecting her deeply personal life experiences and emotions, she gives us permission to do the same."
Thank you, Steph! So excited for the workshop.
I’m so so glad you’re part of it!
Thank you so much for writing this and for sharing the brilliant letter by Ashley Fetyko. So much of what I’m seeing in response to TTPD is brimming with entitled pettiness, undisguised projection, and blatantly gendered critique. I’m 49 and didn’t become a T. Swift fan until 2020. Since then, her music has been truly healing - TTPD included.