In 2023 I became a Swiftie. If you don’t know what that means, it means I really started to like and listen to Taylor Swift’s music. I had heard some of her music prior to 2023, but didn’t pay much attention to it. I kept reading about Swift’s Eras Tour and it peaked my interest. She was selling out massive stadiums around the world, as well as record breaking sales. What was I missing? So I started listening to her music and in a moment of excited spontaneity, I bought two tickets to her Eras Tour . . . in London. I called my daughter and invited her to come with me and in August of last year we went to the Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium with 92,000 other people.
It was an incredible experience. Swift plays for three and a half hours with almost no breaks. Her fans know every word to every song and the energy in that stadium was like nothing I’ve ever encountered at any concert before. Swift’s music is fun pop music, and yet her lyrics are deeper than many people give her credit for. She’s a brilliant songwriter and a vibrant, engaging performer. The concert was filled with joyful Swifties who made the event so much fun. After that concert, I’ve followed Swift on social media as she finished her two year long, worldwide, record breaking tour.
At her last few concerts, Swift, with obvious mixed emotions, talked about finishing the tour. She often stated that the Eras Tour was the best and most important venture in her life . . .to date. To date! That phrase was so powerful in that Swift was saying that this wasn’t the end of her career or the end of the best part of her life, but rather the best part, to date. How often do people say, “Well that was the best part of my life. It’s downhill from here.” Or some version of that? We mourn the end of something, which is understandable. But we don’t keep the door open for the next fabulous thing.
“To date” suggests so much more fun to come. “That was my best vacation . . . to date.” “That was my favorite time of life . . . to date.” Oh, the possibilities that “to date” offers us. The Eras tour was the best concert I’ve ever been to . . . to date! Good times are behind us and they can also be in front of us. What if we added “to date” after every exciting and joyful thing that we do so that we remember there are so many exciting and wonderful times ahead of us?
What if on our wedding day we said, “That was the best day of my life, to date?” Then it wouldn’t just be about the wedding, but actually the marriage and life that follows the wedding. What if we get laid off from a job that we loved and we say, “That was my favorite job, to date?” It opens the door for more great jobs and opportunities. What if we tell ourselves on those really amazing days of life, “This was my favorite day ever, to date?” Swiftie or not, it’s a fun way to live life.
Love,
Certified Professional Coach and Psychologist
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How often have you wished for that person in your life who listens deeply, doesn’t judge you, and doesn’t try to fix you? That person who holds space for you to talk through your struggles, your hopes, and dreams so that you can live the personal and professional life that you truly want? I’m that person. Yes, I’m a psychologist and a professional life and leadership coach but my superpower is listening, deep, empathic, compassionate listening. If you’ve been seeking a professional listener who will help you live the life you truly desire, let’s set up a time to talk. My email is Lisa@LisaKaplin.com.