Last month (October 2025), Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” And, you better believe that I did “all things” Taylor Swift that week!

The week’s festivities started with attending a midnight release! This was the first time in over 25 years that I attended a midnight release of anything, and the first time I did it for an album drop!  I went to my local Target on October 2nd at around 10:00 p.m. EST and got an exclusive ticket so that I could purchase her album right at midnight! It was so fun, I felt like a kid again. So many haters dump on Taylor Swift for one thing or another, but being a Swiftie is seriously so fun. The entire week leading up to her album release, I talked to several friends about their theories and possible Easter Eggs. Honestly, being a Swiftie is such a fun distraction to the dumpster fire of a world we are living in. 

After getting my ticket, I walked around Target and then went back to my car to listen to Taylor’s last album, the Tortured Poets Department, for probably the hundredth time that week (no shame in my game). That album was released at a depressing part of my life and I really related to every single song. Before LOAS was released, TTPD was my favorite Taylor Swift album. 

As it got closer to midnight, I went back into the store and lined up. Close to 100 other Swifites were in line too, and the excitement was palpable! Soon, the Target associates were rolling out the album displays and everyone cheered. Midnight was getting so close! Once the clock hit midnight, we were able to start purchasing the albums and CD’s. I tried to start listening to the new album on Spotify, but of course, in Taylor style, the app crashed. 

I wasn’t able to start listening until I got to my car. I got all the way to the fourth song on the album, “Father Figure,” until I pulled up to my apartment. I let the song finish before I went in. Did Taylor really say “my dick is bigger!?” OMG, I thought, this is grown up Taylor and I am HERE for it. 

Once I got back into my apartment, I started the album over and listened again. I listened four times before going to bed. The album felt shiny, sparkly, and fun. There is a lot of big dick energy on the album and I am here for it. This was so different from TTPD. No depressing songs about unrequited love. No feeling small or alone. This was fun, boppy music that I was totally into from first listen! I listened so many times because I wanted to know all the lyrics in time for going to the movie premiere after work on Friday, October 3rd. 

Work was rough and I was exhausted, but going to the midnight release was so worth it. I was able to listen to the album five or six more times. My initial favorites were “Father Figure, Elizabeth Taylor, Eldest Daughter, Honey, and Opalite. 

I went into the movie knowing all the lyrics which was fun! And, the movie was great! Dump on lyrics videos all you want, IDGAF. How many artists release a movie on the same day they release an album, show the behind-the-scenes making of the album’s first music video, AND explain the inspiration behind each song? Literally no one except Taylor! I enjoyed the movie SO much! 

After the movie, I got ready to go to my first ever Taylor Swift party! This time, it was an album release party hosted by a local radio station.They played the new album three times and everyone got to dance to it! The vibes on that dance floor were unmatched. People were screaming, singing, and enjoying themselves. It was so fun being able to let go of the week, be in the company of other Swifties, and enjoy myself. There wasn’t a sad person in that room, It’s like nothing I have ever experienced before! Being able to do this with other Swifties was special, and I met some new friends too! Other songs were played too which was super fun!

It’s simple, Taylor Swift is good for my mental health and I will fight anyone who argues that. 

I have listened to LOAS probably over a hundred times at this point, it is hard to keep track! I absolutely love this album and it has dethroned TTPD as my favorite Taylor Swift album of all time! These lyrics are always in my head and I frequently wake up with them in my head already! There has to be something in this album that got us hooked. Taylor! What did you do to us!? 

Seeing how popular and successful this album is just makes me cry happy tears tbh. LIke I stated earlier, there are so many Taylor haters and we are not here for that energy. She will keep rising to the top no matter how many haters she has! Even the Swifties who “hate” this album, I just don’t get. Taylor is happy. She is getting engaged and she is at the very top of her career. Her album is going to reflect that! 

Simple enough, Taylor is good for my mental health. I will fight anyone who argues that!

P.S. Here are my favorite songs in order, which, funny enough, changed since my first listen!

Elizabeth Taylor

Opalite

Father Figure

The Fate of Ophelia

Wi$h Li$t

Wood

CANCELLED!

The Life of a Showgirl

Eldest Daughter

Honey

Actually Romantic

Ruin the Friendship