It is obvious that the old Taylor is dead, so it is time to retire the teardrops on our guitar’s and stop going back to December because Taylor is ready for it and so are we. Here is a list of everything we can (and should) learn from the new Taylor.
1. “I never trust a narcissist but they love me, so I play them like a violin.”
Taylor tries to impress upon us the importance of knowing who you are working with. You cannot always control the types of people that enter your life, but you can control how you deal with them.
When Chad in Sigma Apple Pi that will not stop bragging about his beer pong record, comes into your life you don’t always have to walk away. You just have to know how to deal with them. Women, in particular, are told that they are to always play the victim, but Taylor tries to show us that it is ok for women to take control.
2. “If a man talks shit, then I owe him nothing. I don’t regret it one bit cause he had it coming.”
Swifties – take notes. We do not owe anyone anything, but we ESPECIALLY do not owe a man who thinks he can put us down a single thing. No one gets to try to tear us down and then expect us to come running as soon as they need something from us. Do not feel guilty for cutting off the toxic people in your life, you do not owe anyone anything.
3. “Here’s a toast to my real friends; they don’t care about to the 'he said she said.'”
Taylor Swift knows a thing or two about fake friends, and she finally can bestow upon us her wisdom on true friendship. A real friend will not care about the petty drama. They won’t question you or believe others over you. A real friend knows what is true, and all the other stuff will be pointless.
4. “This is why we can’t have nice things, darling. Cause you break them; I had to take them away.”
Sometimes, you just have to walk away, and Taylor emphasizes that in Reputation. It is a hard thing to accept that some people just don’t change, but it is true.
Everyone says “forgiveness is key,” but as the wise Taylor says, “Hahah I can’t even say it with a straight face.” Forgiveness sounds like a good thing until you end up getting stabbed in the back again, so listen to Taylor and just walk away. Some people don’t deserve you.
5. “I mean I rose up from the dead I do it all the time.”
There are times when life gets tough and you just want to curl up in a ball and cry, and that is ok. However, you can't stay in that ball forever. You have to rise up and get back out into the world. If Taylor can do it, so can we.
6. “There I was, giving you a second chance. But then you stabbed me in the back while shaking my hand. And therein lies the issue friends don't try to trick you.”
Fool me once, shame on you, but fool me twice, shame on me. You do not owe anyone a second chance, ever, but if you do decide to give someone another chance, do not let them get away with being shady. Taylor said it best, friends DO NOT try to trick you.
7. “I want your midnights, but I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day.”
Taylor Swift may not be known for her successful relationships, but this line in her new album perfectly sums up healthy love. It is such a simple line, but it is very true if you look deeper.
Love is not just about the drunken nights at wild parties. It is about the mornings after when you are cleaning up glitter and bottles together and are still just as happy.
8. "You don't need to save me, but would you run away with me?"
As a woman, we often feel ashamed for falling in love with someone and allowing someone else into our life. Just because we are happy in a relationship doesn't mean we are being “saved.”
Swifties, try using one of Taylor’s famous quotes and remember that being with someone else doesn't mean they are saving you. I hope everyone enjoys Reputation –– maybe you will even learn a thing or two.
