Issue 4 | I'm a Swiftie. So What?
Let me be my basic self in peace.
a little caffeinated is a weekly newsletter by yours truly coming into your inbox like a piping hot cup of coffee… This week, grab your favorite hot (or cold) beverage, get cozy, and let’s chat about what it means to be original or conformist, and whether or not you can be both…
When we were school-aged, there is social pressure to try and be like everyone else. However, I’ve noticed during college years and beyond, there seems to be more and more pressure to be unique, constantly reinvent yourself, and be the MOST original, interesting person ever. Admitting you like something that is deemed to be mainstream automatically brands you as unoriginal and boring. People are in a constant search for the most fringe music, movies, activities, travels, or whatever. What if, in fact, the act of striving for constant originality inadvertently leads to a new form of conformity?
o·rig·i·nal·i·ty noun The ability to think independently and creatively. The quality of being novel or unusual.
con·form·i·ty noun Compliance with standards, rules, or laws. Behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards.
- The Oxford English Dictionary
I have done the whole fringe music, fringe movies, fringe fill-in-the-blank. And guess what? I admit there were a few *fringe* things that I have enjoyed, but more often than not, they are not interesting to me. I keep coming back to the activities, music, things, and foods that are tried and true, and that I KNOW I will love.
Jokingly, I refer to myself as super basic. I love my Lululemon leggings, playing Pokemon Go, and red wine. I enjoy reading romance novels and fashion blogs. I LOVE Taylor Swift (PS - I went to her concert on Friday and IT WAS AWESOME). I recognize that a lot of my interests or affinities are mainstream and are considered ‘basic’, but these are some of the things that I truly enjoy.
Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s important to try new things, read books that aren’t your usual genre, try different cuisines, and listen to a wide array of music. Everyone should push their boundaries, but the end goal should be to find enjoyment in something new or to learn something.
Throughout the process of listening to different types of music, I’ve learned I love music that has strong female vocals, tells a good story, and has lyrics I can sing along to. So, basically, all of Taylor Swift’s music. But whenever she comes up in conversation, I get some O-PIN-IONS. Usually, if I mention that I like any other musician, I’m met with indifference or agreement. With Taylor, the responses I usually get are in agreement (yay fellow Swifties!) or a very negative response.
Riding the high from the concert on Friday, I opened up Instagram to see what photos or videos were circulating. I made the mistake to look at the comments on some of them and was taken aback by how much negativity was posted in relation to something that was meant to be a fun experience. People were not just making digs at the expensive tickets (fair), but also women and girls who love her music. We are considered ‘wack’, ‘dumb’, ‘morons’, ‘basic’, ‘unoriginal’, and the list goes on.
But how does genuinely enjoying something make you unoriginal? Life is far too short to force yourself to listen to music that doesn’t make you happy just to be able to say you’re a music snob.
Doing the things that are considered ‘mainstream’ can be really interesting and unique parts of your personality too. I have a career in Biotech, lived abroad, love watching productivity youtube videos, speak three languages, play ice hockey, enjoy cooking, listen to house music, Spanish flamenco music, Ukrainian pop, AND love Taylor Swift. Go on, tell me I’m not original 😏. The point I am trying to make is that being original or conformist is not mutually exclusive, and maybe embracing both of these aspects will make you live a far richer life.
So, if you like blasting Taylor Swift in your car while driving to work, and this brings you immense joy, fret not! You are living your best, most original, authentic life, no matter what other people say. Remember those haters gonna hate, hate, hate, so shake it off! (Ok, that was cringe lol, I can’t help myself).
Are you a ‘snob’ in some area (i.e. music, beer, coffee, wine, food, etc.)? Do you find yourself judging people for liking mainstream things? Why do you think that is? Let’s start a conversation in the comments!
A few (random but interesting) links…
How to ask for a raise. What makes a kiss amazing? Why it’s important to remember concert etiquette. I’m kind of nostalgic for the life we had before cell phones… Have you downloaded Threads yet? I’ve found it to be much more fun than the twitters. If you make your way there, let's be friends! And last but not least, here are some tips to get back into reading if you find that you’re in a rut…
Three things I’m enjoying this week…
La Colombe - My brother brought a case home of this coffee, and I am now officially hooked. Iced or cold coffee is not my go-to drink, even in the summer (I know, I know, I’m a monster 🙄…), but I think La Colombe is changing that and will be a staple going forward. I love how well it’s blended, it’s not too sweet, and I don’t have obnoxious ice cubes hitting my teeth because it’s in a can and kept in the fridge. Consider this my declaration that La Colombe is my official drink of summer.
H/JACK (Apple TV+) - Idris Elba is an incredible (and extremely good-looking) actor (🥵), so I was curious to check out this show. Guys, I’m hooked. I am a very nervous flyer, which is maybe why this has been a VERY intense experience for me. My anxiety is through the roof, but I’m here for it. It’s coming out every Wednesday and you need an Apple TV+ subscription but if you do have one, don’t miss out!
Banyan Moon - This book has been all over the interwebs since its release, so I wanted to get it a try. I’m not done with it yet, but I’ve been enjoying it so far. Although it reads a little choppy to me (I was struggling to understand a few key events that I thought were crucial to the plot), I really love multigenerational stories that have very strong-willed women at the center (I also loved Pachinko!).
Thanks for reading… As always, feel free to listen along to a little caffeinated playlist where I’m frequently updating it with songs that I’m loving. Also, if you’re interested in an online book club, comment below!
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