On Why Red (Taylor’s Version) Feels Therapeutically Important
If it wasn’t made abundantly clear from my blog post on the Bachelorette, yes, I am a millennial therapist. So, when Taylor Swift’s long-awaited Red (Taylor’s Version) came out this past weekend, I let myself get swept away in the fandom, the meaning of the songs, and the waves of wistfulness while listening. It made me think about how music is so often utilized for therapeutic purposes—conveying emotions we did not know how to articulate and meaning making as a soundtrack to significant times in our lives. This blog will explore how Red (Taylor’s Version) can feel therapeutically important through the themes of nostalgia, agency, and common humanity. And bonus! Read to the bottom to see what self-care practice might be beneficial for you based on your favorite "From the Vault” song off this album.
nostalgia
As if I need to be the one to remind you, but we have been in a global pandemic for the past two years. And that equates to a LOT of uncertainty, anxiety, doubt, fear, and general questioning. That is so much for your body to take on, carry, and hopefully process. It is so difficult to complete the stress response cycle when the stressor is still here. And that is where nostalgia comes in beautifully. Nostalgia allows for us to return to a place where we felt safer, more present, and possibly more loved.
With the re-releasing of Red, Taylor’s music is able to take us back to where we were in October 2012. A time, nine years ago, that held Obama as president, the blissful ignorance that a global pandemic could ever be a threat, and whatever else might have been going on for you. Nostalgia allows us some gratitude towards where we were and sometimes gives us some romanticizing of the past. I have to believe that this romantic feeling is rooted in how hindsight allows us the comfort of knowledge and understanding. Our anxiety loves to be able to hold onto what is known, and so listening to this album, where we already know all of the words, creates safety for our brains.
agency
Most Swifties will not need this history lesson, however it is important to note that Taylor’s re-recording her first six albums in order to have complete ownership and rights over them. The first six albums of hers were done through Big Machine Records, a company that was bought by Scooter Braun. Taylor Swift is quoted in several places and shares on her personal Tumblr account discussing how Braun was notorious for bullying her and seeking control over her career. With the control at Big Machine Records, Braun was able to effectively control all of Taylor’s masters and could profit from the selling of them.
Taylor choosing to re-record each album allows her agency and freedom. This quest has brought increased awareness to the toxic masculinity of the music industry and how women are treated in the field. Even in seeing the album title, with the inclusion of the parenetical “Taylor’s Version,” the listener is able to connect with the significance of this inspirational step in Taylor’s career. Taylor now is working actively to own her own work, something that can encourage girls and adult women alike to acknowledge the oppression, fight for something different, and bring more awareness while doing so.
common humanity
Lastly, having an audio experience, like a re-recording and releasing of an album that most essentially grew up with, allows for reflection on our growth. For me, this creates an opportunity to show some love and compassion to my inner child. I get to revisit where Caitlin was in 2012, what she was going through, and how she was able to overcome all of the challenges she thought were never going to end. And there is something else in this experience since Taylor and I are similar ages; in her reconnecting of her past self, I get the opportunity to meet with mine as well.
When we carve out time and space to meet with our younger selves, whether it’s through music, movies, or activities, we are able to increase our empathy and connection with others. One of the core factors of self-compassion is common humanity. Awareness that we are not isolated in our feelings and experiences drives away guilt and shame, which are huge barriers to self-compassion. Music is so powerful because we are able to find words, written by someone we have never met, to connect with our very own experience. That’s common humanity!
what your favorite From the Vault song says about you
And as promised, here’s the bonus! Below are the songs From the Vault paired with suggestions for self-care. So, see what song is your favorite and be curious if this self-care suggestion is what you’re needing right now.
Better Man (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)
This song is a bummer—lots of grief and guilt wrapped up in the aftermath of having to be the one to break up with someone that wasn’t worth your time, after all. When I hear this, I hear that you need community and friends to remind you that you’re loved, you made the right choice, and there are better things to come. So, a self-care suggestion here is hanging out with a friend and doing something fun to healthily distract yourself!
Nothing New (Featuring Phoebe Bridgers) (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)
Okay, so Phoebe Bridgers AND Taylor Swift on one song?? These two singer/songwriters love to get in their feelings and to put it all out into lyrics. If this song is your favorite, I suggest taking up some journaling as part of your regular self-care. You’ve got some feelings and experiences that need processing, and maybe there’s art in there too!
Babe (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)
You’re feeling disappointed by someone’s broken promises, so why don’t you use some of your own self-discipline and motivation? Look for a class that can teach you a skill that you don’t have mastered yet. Maybe it’s kickboxing and learning to use your body in a new way. Maybe it’s a chess class and learning how to use your mind in a new way. Either way, you’ve got this, babe.
Message in a Bottle (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)
You’re feeling restless and maybe a little stuck because when will the next good thing come into your life? While you’re waiting, I would suggest trying out some grounding and mediation. I love apps like Shine, Headspace, and Calm for guided meditations, and there’s tons of guided meditations available for free on YouTube!
I Bet You Think About Me (Featuring Chris Stapleton) (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)
You’re feeling petty, and that’s fine, that’s very human of you. In the pettiness, there is a platform for grieving, mourning, and integrating your experience. So, when you’re ready to give back instead of giving in to pettiness, try out volunteering. Volunteering can help you get back to the things that you’re proud of in your identity.
Forever Winter (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)
Oh, this song is a heartbreaker. If you’re connecting with this song, I would invite you to look for an opportunity to participate in a random act of kindness today. Look for ways to pay it forward, extend a compliment to a stranger, open a door for someone in a rush, be nice on the freeway… the list goes on. Acts of kindness connect us, and the stakes don’t have to be high.
Run (Featuring Ed Sheeran) (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)
You might be feeling a little stuck if this is the song you are most connected to. So, for self-care, look for opportunities to bring awareness to the places that you have control in. That might look like taking extra consideration into the lunch that you make for yourself for work, putting on a cozy outfit for work at home, or choosing to take a midday walk to clear your head. This can assist with feeling a little helpless.
The Very First Night (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)
Connecting with a song that romanticizes and remembers the beginnings of a relationship means that you might be looking for increased intimacy in your current relationship, even if it’s a platonic friendship! So how about you look for a way to re-create or revisit a memorable date or friend hang? Did you two used to go dancing all the time? Or was there a picnic spot you have fond memories of? Plan some intentional time to reconnect.
All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)
Okay, so you’re committed. The 10-minute version increased this already amazing song, and the accompanying video allowed for us to see more into the notorious relationship that we all know all too well by now. For self-care, why not increase this ability to sit and process? Dive all the way in and go to therapy (I suggest any of the therapists here at Kindman)! There will be tons of time to revisit, view other perspectives, and create integration.
Caitlin Harrison is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, social justice advocate, and a feminist. She works with individuals, intimate relationships, and families. Caitlin is a sex positive therapist with a special interest in the integration of sexuality and spirituality, women’s empowerment, and eradicating narratives of guilt and shame. She is passionate about working with couples because every partnership can be deepened, stretched, and more pleasure-forward.
Utilizing the relationship between client and therapist, Caitlin embodies hospitality and humor in her work which allows an inclusive and collaborative space to share all of life’s ups, downs, and in betweens. Overall, her work is focused on ensuring that you feel safe coming home to yourself. Caitlin feels at home with a cup of coffee in her hand, a bouquet of flowers nearby, and music at the ready to dance to.
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