Nothing makes me happier than studying the lives of successful people. When I heard that Taylor Swift released a Netflix documentary, I was immensely excited to see what was in store.

I have a complicated relationship with Taylor Swift. Tweeting with Kim Kardashian and my twitter friends during the #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty was fun. In 2009, it saddened me when Taylor won over Beyonce for the Album of the Year Grammy. Conversely, I can’t help but bop along in any situation when I hear hits such as “22”, “Blank Space” or “We Are Never Getting Back Together.” This complexity lead me to watch “Miss Americana” with an open mind and an open heart.

For approximately 85 minutes, I was drawn into the mind and life of one of the world’s biggest pop stars. At the end of the doc, I followed Taylor on Instagram, added 10 of her songs to my Apple Music and was compelled to write this blog. As much as I could praise Taylor on her intense vulnerability and incredible storytelling, I’d like to share some of the powerful lessons that I took away from the film. 

Successful Means Hard Work

Taylor Swift has won 311 awards for her music, two of which include the Grammy for Album of the Year. She’s been listed as one of the most influential people by Time magazine and has also sold millions of records. Whether you’re a fan or not, no one can deny this woman’s accolades and jaw-dropping resume. One of the best aspects of “Miss Americana” is that the film shows just how hard Taylor Swift works. Shots were articulating her songwriting sessions, rehearsals, and music video shoots. I particularly enjoyed seeing Taylor hum out an intricate melody and a few lines of poetry and knowing the monstrous hits that come from those moments.

The film also showed that Taylor was working on becoming a pop star since we were a child. When she was 13 years old, talking about how she wrote a song with just a guitar was impressive. It is no random occurrence that Taylor is one of the biggest stars of today. The secret to her success is working hard, which is a beautiful message to send to our fame-obsessed culture. 

“We Don’t Do That Anymore.” 

In one of the rawest shots of “Miss Americana,” Swift candidly shares her struggles with body image. In the back of a car, she shows a photo of herself detailing how certain antics would cause her to go into a downward spiral. As she points to a picture she states, 

“This would cause me to go into like a real shame, like hate spiral…and, like I caught myself yesterday starting to do it, and I was like, ‘Nope, we don’t do that anymore.'”  

The statement “We Don’t Do That Anymore” stuck me. Those words alone are a clear representation of a person taking responsibility for their life and changing it at the same time. Even though we may have done things in the past, it is okay to change. That moment taught me that lesson most profoundly. I plan to use that statement in my life when I find old self-destructive habits trying to draw me back in. 

“I Just Need You To Forgive Me For Doing It, ‘Cause I’m Doing It” 

When Taylor decides that she is going to endorse a democratic candidate in the Tennessee Senate race, she experiences a lot of backlash from her father. Another powerful moment in “Miss Americana” is when Swift decides to follow her heart instead of her father’s advice. Her father did his best to dissuade Taylor from getting involved with politics. When she looked at him and said,

“I Just Need You To Forgive Me For Doing It, ‘Cause I’m Doing It,”

I thought that was an empowering moment. 

How often do we seek advice from others knowing instinctively what we want to do? How often do we listen to someone else’s voice and betray our own in the process? I loved how Taylor did what she felt in her heart, although it may not have been the popular opinion. It is my goal for 2020 to try to become a more intentional person, and do so without the validation of others. Powerful lesson.

Do It When It’s Scary 

After Taylor made up in her mind that she was going to get involved in politics to her family, it was time for the moment of truth where she would do so publicly. I could feel the anxiety through the screen when Taylor, her mother, and a childhood friend were counting down the seconds until Taylor posted on her Instagram about her views. I love how vulnerable that moment was. After a few sips of wine and a countdown, Taylor finally shared her political beliefs on Instagram.

The takeaway I learned from that moment was how important it is to follow your heart in spite of fear. Taylor was completely aware that her life would be at risk by sharing her liberal views, but she did it anyway. That moment inspired me to take on my fears no matter what, even if I’m afraid. 

Conclusion

“Miss Americana” is a warm invitation into the lives of one of the most famous people in the world. The film touches on issues of feminism, self-acceptance, and resilience. If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift–great, you may love her even more after this, if you’re like me and on the fence, the film may get you like her even more. All in all, I highly recommend this documentary not only just for the impressive storytelling but also insightful life lessons. My only issue is that she did not include “Blank Space” in the film anywhere…that is clearly her best song! (don’t debate me on that on)

I can say with confidence that this documentary made me a fan. I look forward to following Taylor’s career more intimately and wishing her all the best. 

Check out Taylor Swift’s Netflix documentary today. I know you will love it.