Taylor Swift, the enchantress of lyrics, has a remarkable knack for weaving words into unforgettable melodies. Her songs often have me silently (and sometimes not-so-silently) rooting for her, exclaiming, “You’ve got that right, girl!”
Recently, I found myself immersed in the magic of “Call It What You Want” by the extraordinary Ms. Taylor Swift when a few lines struck a chord I didn’t anticipate.
“I want to wear his initial. On a chain ’round my neck… not because he owns me. But ’cause he really knows me.”
These words triggered memories of my youth, a time when necklaces bearing our own initials were all the rage.
These necklaces came in silver, gold, and every shade in between. From elegant jewelry pieces to flashy trinkets and even intricately crafted leather adornments, they were the stars of personalization.
Twist on Swift
But here’s the twist: I didn’t wear someone else’s initials; I wore my own.
“L” for Lilly.
Yet, if I apply Taylor Swift’s lyrical wisdom to my own narrative, do these initials take on a deeper significance? Did I wear them because I was the owner of my name, or was it a testament to how well I truly knew myself?
At that time, I possessed two necklaces. One was a sturdy, matte gold pendant with a bold ‘L’ carved into it. The other, a dainty, lacy silver ‘L’ fashioned in elegant cursive. With these two pieces, I could mirror any outfit or mood I happened to be in.
But let’s get real for a moment: I didn’t fully know myself.
The truth is, I’ve grappled with the challenge of truly knowing myself for quite some time because I’ve often felt compelled to fit into predefined molds. It’s been a long, tortuous journey getting to know who I am.
Taylor Swift Wisdom
Fast forward to today, and I wear a necklace that isn’t an initial but is still deeply personal; it’s a silhouette of a lily.
This flower is thought to represent love, confidence, femininity, and grief. These four themes have been the current carrying me through my struggles over the past few years, years when I have really gotten to know myself.
Whenever I clasp this necklace around my neck, it serves as a testament to who I am and the trials I’ve braved in my journey to become me.
I am Lilly. I am Strong.
My deepest wish is that each of us adorns ourselves (literally or metaphorically) with pieces of jewelry, not as mere owners but as individuals who genuinely understand and embrace our true selves.
For this 3 O’Clock Wednesday, take a few minutes to imagine the perfect accessory that would be a shining example of your you-ness.
