What Taylor Swift's "Life of a Showgirl" era teaches us about reinvention and resilience
By Nicholette Leanza, MA, LPCC-S for LifeStance Health
This piece is freely available to read. Become a paid subscriber today and help keep Mencari News financially afloat so that we can continue to pay our writers for their insight and expertise.
Today’s Article is brought to you by Empower your podcasting vision with a suite of creative solutions at your fingertips.
Taylor Swift has been known for constantly evolving. Each album marks a new era, from country beginnings to pop stardom, indie folk, and now “The Life of a Showgirl.” LifeStance Health suggests, beyond music, her transformations may highlight an important truth about mental health: Reinvention may be part of growth.
Many individuals fear change, worrying that shifting careers, identities, or lifestyles means losing themselves. But as Taylor seems to demonstrate, embracing new chapters doesn’t erase the old. Instead, it may build on them. Reinvention may be about becoming more fully aligned with who you are today, and it’s okay for that to change over time.
Why Identity Shifts Feel Hard
Identity is often a core part of mental health. When we change jobs, move cities, become parents, or step into a new life phase, it can feel destabilizing. Questions often arise, like:
Who am I now?
What if people don’t accept this version of me?
Will I lose the relationships I’ve built?
These worries are normal. Just as Taylor may face public scrutiny when she reinvents her sound, many individuals (regardless of being a celebrity or not) experience pressure to remain consistent, even though change may be necessary for their personal growth.
Truth matters. Quality journalism costs.
Your subscription to Mencari directly funds the investigative reporting our democracy needs. For less than a coffee per week, you enable our journalists to uncover stories that powerful interests would rather keep hidden. There is no corporate influence involved. No compromises. Just honest journalism when we need it most.
Not ready to be paid subscribe, but appreciate the newsletter ? Grab us a beer or snag the exclusive ad spot at the top of next week's newsletter.
Resilience in the Face of Criticism
With each era, Taylor Swift has faced criticism. Some doubted her authenticity or resisted her changes. Yet she continued forward, showing resilience by staying connected to her values, creativity, and sense of self.
Rolling Stone gave “Life of a Showgirl” five stars, noting: “Showgirl is the castle she built out of all the bricks that have been thrown at her.”
Similarly, resilience in mental health doesn’t mean avoiding criticism or setbacks. Rather, it may mean continuing to grow even when others don’t understand. Reinvention often invites doubt, but it may also create opportunities for deeper self-acceptance.
How to Embrace Your Own Reinvention
While you may not be releasing a show-stopping album, you may be entering your own new era. Here are a few strategies that may support your mental health during identity shifts:
Acknowledge your past, but don’t be bound by it. Growth honors where you’ve been while making space for who you’re becoming.
Give yourself permission to change. It’s normal to evolve. Your needs, passions, and priorities are not fixed.
Build a support system. Share your journey with people who encourage growth and self-discovery.
Practice self-compassion. Change can feel uncomfortable. Treat yourself with kindness while you adjust.
Takeaway
Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl era may be seen as more than an album because it may remind us that reinvention is a form of resilience. By embracing change and identity shifts, we may not only expand what’s possible in our lives but also strengthen our mental health.
If you’re navigating a life transition or stressor, remember growth may feel uncomfortable, but may also be a sign of courage. And like Taylor, you deserve to step fully into your next chapter, no matter what others think.
This story was produced by LifeStance Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Sustaining Mencari Requires Your Support
Independent journalism costs money. Help us continue delivering in-depth investigations and unfiltered commentary on the world's real stories. Your financial contribution enables thorough investigative work and thoughtful analysis, all supported by a dedicated community committed to accuracy and transparency.
Subscribe today to unlock our full archive of investigative reporting and fearless analysis. Subscribing to independent media outlets represents more than just information consumption—it embodies a commitment to factual reporting.
As well as knowing you’re keeping Mencari (Australia) alive, you’ll also get:
Get breaking news AS IT HAPPENS - Gain instant access to our real-time coverage and analysis when major stories break, keeping you ahead of the curve
Unlock our COMPLETE content library - Enjoy unlimited access to every newsletter, podcast episode, and exclusive archive—all seamlessly available in your favorite podcast apps.
Join the conversation that matters - Be part of our vibrant community with full commenting privileges on all content, directly supporting The Evening Post (Australia)
Catch up on some of Mencari’s recent stories:
It only takes a minute to help us investigate fearlessly and expose lies and wrongdoing to hold power accountable. Thanks!