Finding Joy in the Era of Taylor Swift: A Social Media Bright Spot

By Emma Kate Miller

I must admit, I often find social media to be unbelievably tedious. Primark hauls, expensive kitchen renovations, gravy-sodden Sunday lunches, and as for those nauseating PR unboxing videos—no, thank you. However, there are rare exceptions that capture my heart and restore my faith in the online world.

Take, for instance, the first flurry of snow pics—those glistening landscapes that transform my feed into a winter wonderland. I adore first-day-of-school shots, especially when accompanied by a carousel of years gone by (come on, make the effort!). I love World Book Day and then there are the summer holiday montages with glittering pools, sandy beaches and tasty cocktails. But recently, my new favourite thing on social media: your Taylor Swift The Eras Tour videos. They are pure, unadulterated joy!

The effort put into the outfits, the glittery makeup, and the friendship bracelets is nothing short of astonishing. And as for the singing at the top of your lungs, well, I can’t get enough. Life is hard. It can seem difficult to find the good at times, but watching these videos—whether you were lucky enough to get tickets or not—is a testament to the goodness that still exists in the world.

Whether you’re a fan of her music or not, the sheer excitement and joy Taylor Swift is spreading around the globe is exactly what we all need to see right now. Watching females (and a few guys) of all ages come together for three and a half hours to exchange bracelets, belt out the hits, laugh, cry, and hug their sisters is pure catharsis in a world where even catching a few minutes of news is enough to send even the most well-adjusted into an anxious spiral.

So thank you, Dr. Taylor Alison Swift, for your gift to the world. And to all the Swifties, I hope the post-concert blues don’t hit too hard. Your shared moments of joy, captured and shared with the world, remind us all that in the midst of life's challenges, there is still so much beauty to be found.