5 Taylor Swift Lyrics That Perfectly Describe Anxiety (And What They Teach Us About Coping)
First things first, you don’t need to be a Taylor Swift fan to relate to this post (though if you are, welcome to the club). Taylor has a way of turning universal experiences and stories into words that feel personal and deeply resonant. Her lyrics capture the messy experiences of anxiety in a way that feels both honest and validating.
In honor of her new album announcement, let me break down lyrics from five of her songs that truly personify how anxiety can feel for a person, and why so many of us see ourselves in her songs.
"I've been having a hard time adjusting // I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting // I didn't know if you'd care if I came back // I have a lot of regrets about that” — “this is me trying”
This song is arguably one of Taylor’s most honest songs about mental health. She describes anxiety and perfectionism in such a way that many of us can relate to. Change and adjustment is often challenging for someone who is anxious. Additionally, she personifies the second-guessing and the worry that someone with anxiety knows all too well (pun intended).
“I should not be left to my own devices // They come with prices and vices // I end up in crisis (tale as old as time) // I wake up screaming from dreaming” — “Anti-Hero”
If you have ever experienced an anxiety spiral, then you know exactly what these lyrics are capturing. It’s this feeling of questioning yourself and true self-doubt. Anxiety often convinces us that we can’t be trusted with our own mind, because one small worry can snowball into full-blown panic where our intrusive thoughts may even take over. These lyrics show the way anxiety takes something small and turns it into an overwhelming cycle and how exhausting that can be.
“Is it cool that I said all that? // Is it chill that you're in my head? // ‘Cause I know that it's delicate (delicate) // Is it cool that I said all that // Is it too soon to do this yet? — “Delicate”
This song is literally over-thinking to the extreme. The lyrics express how it feels to replay every conversation, while simultaneously worrying how we are being perceived. If you’re an anxious person then you may find that the anxiety part of your brain is constantly worried about perception. The overthinking and second-guessing often come in tandem with anxiety, and Taylor showcases this in “Delicate.”
“I wait by the door like I’m just a kid // Use my best colors for your portrait // Lay the table with the fancy sh*t // And watch you tolerate it” — “tolerate it”
This song hits on the fear of not being enough, no matter how hard you try. If you have ever felt like you’re “not good enough” or that you’re “too much,” I get it, and it might be your anxiety talking. Anxiety often makes us believe that we have to perform perfectly to be loved, only to still feel like we’re falling short. It’s that sense of pouring your heart out and still feeling misunderstood and maybe even rejected.
“You’re on your own, kid // You always have been” — “You’re On Your Own, Kid”
Anxiety can feel truly lonely sometimes. Even in a crowd of people, you can feel awfully alone. While this song might not directly be about anxiety, the sentiment is deeply resonant for how anxiety can feel. Many anxious kids, teens, and even young adults deal with this struggle. The song speaks to that ache of facing big feelings without always knowing how to share them.
A final note to you:
At the end of the day, Taylor’s music reminds us that we’re never really alone in our struggles. Anxiety can feel isolating and overwhelming, but it’s not inherently bad. It is a reminder of our (beautiful and messy) humanity.
If these words hit close to home, it might be because anxiety weaves itself into our daily lives in ways we don’t always talk about. That’s why conversations like this matter.💙 Learn more about therapy with me here.
And if you (or your child, teen, or young adult) are struggling, support is out there — you don’t have to face it all alone.
