“It's Me, Hi, I'm the Problem. It's Me”: 5 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health Inspired by Taylor Swift
Photo credit: wallpaperaccess.com
By Lindsay Bissett
“We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way” - Taylor Swift, 22
Taylor Swift released her first album when she was just 16 years old, a fresh face with endless passion, one day to become the top selling digital artist in music history. Taylor has evolved from singing about a boy in a chevy truck, to becoming the queen of musical storytelling. To this day when I think Tim McGraw, I think of her.
One of the great things about Taylor’s music is her ability to be relatable (OK, not always - I’ve never “kissed someone in a crowded room while every single one of my friends was making fun of me” - but stay with me!).
Taylor writes about the hills and valleys in life, and she never fakes perfection. In a world where nearly everyone and everything is projected to be perfect (and workplaces still don’t encourage us to be our imperfect selves), I continue to find comfort in those who never make that promise.
Remember, improving overall mental health will improve all areas of life, it’s all connected. From personal relationships, to fulfilling our career goals, healthy mental wellbeing touches every single thing.
Let’s dig into Taylor’s lyrics so together we can find magic amidst the mess.
1. Strive for self-awareness.
“I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror” - Anti Hero
A piece of advice I got, as a person with an inner “negative narrator,” is to stand in front of the mirror and say three things I am proud of about myself. The next day, three things I like about myself, the next day three things I forgive myself for. Create a routine of being kind to yourself.
Strive for self-awareness, be your own best friend, or at least learn to accept (maybe even love?) yourself. If this feels really hard, therapy can be a great place to discuss what inner challenges you’re facing and get the right tools so you can look directly in the mirror. Therapy isn’t a magic wand, but it has the potential to get people to a better place faster than they would on their own.
Not ready for therapy? Other places to start include following reputable therapists online to get free tips, look for peer support groups, and check out Mental Health Support Canada for more free resources.
2. Surround yourself with people who see the magic in you.
“I think it’s strange that you think I’m funny because he never did.” - Begin Again
Surround yourself with people who inspire, motivate, make you laugh, and when you’re down they bring you back up. Review your relationships. How do you feel when you’re around someone? If it isn’t a consistently good feeling it may be time to allow yourself space from that person.
3. Embrace things that spark joy.
“And it's like snow at the beach, weird but f*cking beautiful.” - Snow On the Beach
Find out what joy means for you; it might not be manicures and massages, it might be trying new ramen restaurants, or alone time in a blanket fort, paint by numbers, or watching foreign films. Whatever it is, work on finding that.
Think of days or moments you have been most happy, take note of what, where, when, or why and do more of those joy-inducing things. A Happiness Journal is a great way to track and reflect back on the moments you want to replicate.
4. Combat loneliness.
“So, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.” - You’re On Your Own, Kid
You don’t have to make a bracelet, but you should make a friend. Let’s talk loneliness. With online comparison and working from home it’s easy to fall into feelings of loneliness, like everyone is doing cool stuff but you.
Cultivate relationships. Maybe your best friend moved out of your city, maybe across the country or the world, plan a virtual hangout, watch the same movie and plan a time to recap it together, find online games you can play together, join a meetup group with people who have the same interest, there are a lot of amazing ways to stay connected we just have to be intentional.
Scheduling time with friends can sometimes feel like a second job, but if you make the investment, it’s almost always worth it (and if it wasn’t- scroll back to #2). The solution to loneliness is connection, craved by so many and at our fingertips. Make the move.
Reminder: one person doesn’t have to be your everything. Maybe your partner or your mom is your best friend - that’s amazing! But it doesn’t mean they have to be all things to you. Maybe you have one friend who likes to talk reality TV, another who works in the same field as you, and another who loves getting active; each one can be an ingredient towards your overall happiness.
5. Get active.
“Breathe in, breathe through, breathe deep, breathe out.” - Labyrinth
I’ll be the first person to say exercise won’t cure your mental illness. Neither will walking on grass, getting fresh air, meditation, “just not thinking about it”, essential oils, or daily massages by a flock of kittens. But many of these things can help.
The lovely Saffina Jinnah has great Tips to Cope (Besides Sitting in the Dark), and I will add moving your body. For me, nature walks provide so much happiness and promote clarity of mind. Evening yoga in my living room is also a huge support of my overall wellbeing. I still have anxiety - like I said, this isn’t a cure - but I encourage everyone to find a movement that serves them and weave that into their routine for the simple reason that it feels good.
Here’s to having tasteful parties, if a little loud. To burning brighter than the sun. To building castles out of the bricks they throw at you. To being built to fall apart. And to dancing all night long with the moon like a spotlight on the lake. Here’s to your mental health!
P.S. Interested in mental health and therapy but don’t know where to start? Speak with your doctor and browse the resources below:
About Lindsay Bissett:
By day Lindsay is a Wellness and Disability Management Consultant, with a flair for social media and mental health advocacy. By night she is a mother of two, green smoothie aficionado, podcast listener, and active glamper.
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