“Doesn’t she just write songs about everyone she dates?”

Here we go again! It’s no surprise that people who aren’t fans of Taylor Swift (a.k.a.  “Swifties”) view her as nothing more than a woman who is always writing songs about her past relationships. My question is: why is she known only for her breakup songs? Many other artists write songs in the same vein, but they don’t seem to be criticized for it. Nowadays, it seems like Swift constantly has one hit song after another. Over the years the world has watched her songs evolve from country to pop, but her lyrics have remained meaningful and a true reflection of her sense of self.

Her newest album 1989 sold 1.287 million copies the first week of its release. Since then, it has been No. 1 on the Billboards 200 chart for nine weeks straight.

Having been a fan for years, I have noticed a pattern among all of Swift’s albums. Each contains songs that specifically address the different stages of a relationship or a breakup. There is a ridiculous misconception among naysayers that her breakup songs are written only in spiteful backlash at Swift’s exes, whereas in reality they cover a variety of emotions associated with a split that many fans can relate to.

Swift spoke about her track “Begin Again” from her album Red in an interview with Taste of Country.

“‘Begin Again’ is a song I wrote about getting through a breakup and really being still kinda sad about it and feeling insecure about all the things that relationship made you feel that were wrong about yourself. And after months and months and months of having the courage to stand back up, dust yourself off, and go on that first date, it’s kinda about that vulnerability involved with that and the idea that you realize, ‘Wow, this could be great, and maybe I don’t have to get hurt anymore.'”

A middle school fan in the North Penn School District commented, “I love Taylor Swift. I’ve always thought of her as a very talented and inspirational person. I love her music too. It’s amazing that she is able to write songs by herself from her own experiences. It doesn’t bother me where her songs come from. They are beautiful and inspirational.”

With her songwriting abilities, Swift is ready to break herself free from the atmosphere of downbeat emotions. Through her music, she has put her voice out there and proven to the world that she’s not afraid to speak her mind.

In her hit “Shake it Off,” from her 1989 album, Swift addresses the way she hears herself being talked about. As you can tell from the lyrics and her quirky dance moves from the music video, she has made it clear that maintaining a resiliently positive attitude is far better than caring about what the world thinks of her.

Swift opened up about her songwriting life with Time Magazine. She explained that she is not willing to let a high level of fame defeat her happiness.

“I see a lot of celebrities build up these emotional walls around themselves, where they let no one in, and that’s what makes them feel very lonely at the top. I just keep writing songs. And I kind of stay open to feeling humiliated and rejected, because before being a quote-unquote celebrity, I’m a songwriter. Being a celebrity means you lock your doors and close your windows and don’t let people in. Being a songwriter means you’re very attuned to your own intuition and your own feelings even if they hurt. I’ve been able to write songs and feel better. They clarify and simplify the emotions that you’re feeling. Nothing you do is going to make the pain stop. It just helps to have it clarified and simplified.”

Personally, I believe that the media is to blame for the way Swift is portrayed. Listing out the names of people Swift has dated since the very outset of her fame only makes her seem like a carefree, easy-come easy-go kind of person. So what if she has been in multiple relationships? Why is this point the focus of so many media outlets and opponents? Unlike other artists who handle their stress and breakups with hostility or substance abuse, Swift comes out on top because she uses negative energy for something more practical.

Love her or not, Swift has served as a worldwide role model to girls everywhere. With her resilient attitude, earnest efforts, and, of course, her emotional songs, she has defeated all odds against changing herself to impress other people. No matter how many words attempt to tear her down, she will continue to thrive in the music industry.