Driving home from work I caught the last the last 20 seconds of Taylor Swift’s new single, Shake it Off. My first impression was kind of confused and unimpressed, but I knew I hand’t heard the whole thing, so I hopped onto Youtube when I got home to hear the whole song (and watch the video).
Long story short: my opinion changed 100%. After watching the whole video I was smiling ear to ear and yes, the song is going to be stuck in my head for the next year and yes, I am completely ok with that.
I absolutely love how goofy she is in the video. She seems so authentic. Taking your “weaknesses” and turning them into your strengths is one of the most fool-proof ways to shut down haters. You’ve already won.
But more than being insanely catchy, I think Taylor’s song reminds us all of something that can make life so much easier:
Hater’s Gonna Hate (hate hate hate hate)
This might sound weird, but “Haters Gonna Hate” is one of my guiding mantras. I’m always trying to please others, which isn’t bad in spirit, however it has its downsides. I find myself constantly thinking about what other people think about me. I let it get to me, to the point I’ll hold back rather than express myself how I want to.
When I am unapologetically myself, I feel good. I’m sure I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, but I can just shake that off. There will always be haters and they’ll never be happy so trying to please them is fruitless.
Just think about it, next time you’re nervous about how people will judge you for something ask yourself “Do I like this? Does this make me happier? Healthier? Is this a reflection of me?” if the answer is yes. Do it. People will throw shade, but now you’ll have T-Swift in your head singing to you, reminding you to shake it off. Preach gurl, preach.
Being a hater is easy. Destruction is easy. Building, creating, developing, growing that’s hard.
So in conclusion, yo go T-Swift keep shakin’, haters can hate all they want, but you’ll be awkwardly adorably dancing all the way to the bank.
Side note: I’d also like to commend T-Swift on releasing this as her first single from her new (all) pop album because I’m sure everyone will say “OMG this isn’t country, she’s changed so much, blah blah blah” and all she has to do is play the song and shake ’em off. Genius.
Thanks Amanda for hosting another lovely Thinking Out Loud Thursday
Your turn:
- Did you like the song? (Be honest it’s totally ok to disagree!)
I just recently heard this song the other day. It is kind of catchy.
Love the dancing in the video! Yes, it’s a really catchy tune (if not a lil’ bit repetitive) with a positive message 🙂
Love this and I totally agree about the turning your weaknesses into strengths thing! I have so much respect for Taylor despite what most people say
The funniest thing was when I read criticisms over the video and people were saying “wow this is terrible, she dances SO awkwardly!” I was like guys…thats the whole point…
but haters gonna hate