ORLANDO, Fla. — Taylor Swift is one of the biggest stars in the world, as she continues to sell out stadiums on her ongoing Eras Tour.
But her impact on her fans could be far greater than just through entertainment.
By writing and singing about her own life, Swift is helping some fans face their own mental health journey.
Making bracelets is not just a hobby for Rebecca Plumlee.
It’s an activity that helps her manage her anxiety.
“I get anxiety a lot, so planning ahead is something I do all the time,” said Plumlee. “I’m always coming up with ideas and I’ll write it down like; don’t forget to make this type of bracelet.”
It’s also a nod to something that’s become very popular among Swifties, the nickname for Swift fans.
“When you see her live, everyone’s trading friendship bracelets and it’s just really a safe and fun environment,” said Plumlee.
When Plumlee sees anyone who might resemble a Swiftie in public, she gives them a bracelet.
“It could be the tiniest nod to Taylor Swift, but I know and they know so I’ll go up to them and I always carry some with me. I keep a little baggie of them,” she said. “And I’ll be like ‘can I give you a bracelet?’ - and they’re always real surprised and can’t believe it’s happening.”
It has taken Plumlee out of her comfort zone.
“I know without having a reason to go up and talk to someone, like to give them a bracelet because I see we have that in common,” Plumlee said. “I would have not talked to any of these people.”
Plumlee’s love of Swift is something she shares with her mental health counselor, Shantala Boss.
Boss uses Swift’s songwriting as tools in her counseling work.
She said Swift has helped several of the young women she counsels come to terms with their own mental health.
“I think one of the number one reasons people struggle with anxiety and depression is loneliness, feeling along and alienated in the feelings,” Boss said. “And I think what Taylor Swift does is she connects us with those feelings and we don’t feel as alone.
“She is singing about things that we actually experience, our mortal selves.”
Plumlee says Swift’s lyrics about enduring a break-up helped her through a break-up of her own.
“And she has this song clean where she is like ‘the rain came falling down, and when I was drowning, that’s when I could finally breathe.’ “ Plumlee said. “And that’s when I was like ‘oh, it will be fine ‘
“I know this is really heavy right now, but I’m going to be fine.”
Plumlee keeps a journal that helps her stay focused on her mental health journey, much of it themed based on Swift’s songs.
“My overall theme for 2024 was lavender haze,” said Plumlee.
Plumlee knows mental health struggles will never just go away.
But with some extra courage to face what comes next, and some extra tools to tackle it, she’s confident she can get through it, especially by connecting with others who share a common bond.