Taylor Swift, Mental Health and Journaling: Songs, Prompts and Writing Rituals for Healing

Taylor Swift is more than just a global superstar. She is also a writer, a storyteller, and someone who has never shied away from sharing her emotions with the world. Through her lyrics, she has tackled anxiety, depression, heartbreak, and self-doubt, themes that resonate deeply with fans navigating their own mental health journeys. It’s no surprise that searches for Taylor Swift songs about mental health continue to grow, as her music speaks so directly to these struggles.

But Taylor’s creative process goes beyond songwriting. She has long been an avid writer, known for filling notebooks with lyrics and journaling as a way of making sense of her experiences. This link between writing, reflection, and healing is something that anyone can embrace, me included. From a young age, I always used songwriting or poetry to try to explain my feelings. At that early stage, it still didn't feel safe enough to write without a purpose. As I've grown older, I've found my voice and now feel comfortable expressing how I feel without hesitation, but it took practice. In fact, I recall listening to "Love Story" on a loop, trying to find the words and match the feelings I was hearing.

I'll explore the intersection of Taylor Swift, mental health, and journaling. Highlighting the songs which speak to anxiety and resilience, pulling out journaling prompts from her lyrics, and even a playlist for reflection, this is your ultimate guide to harnessing Taylor’s artistry as inspiration.. Who knows, you might be inspired to start journaling, song-writing, or creating your very own mental health playlist!

Taylor Swift Songs That Speak to Mental Health

Taylor’s catalogue is vast, spanning country beginnings to indie folk explorations and pop anthems, so that makes it incredibly difficult to pinpoint just a few. Without even taking the time, I can pull several songs from my head that spoke to me, my experiences mirrored in the lyrics. I've always found music to be very personal; it's an escape, a happy place, a friend. You can always find what you need in music, exactly when you need it most.

Across every era, there are clear mental health themes, which is why Taylor Swift's songs about mental health stand out so powerfully. They capture the realities of anxiety, depression, and healing in a way that feels universal. With that in mind, here are some of the standout tracks that embody these experiences.

1. This Is Me Trying (Folklore)

A haunting ballad about the exhaustion of holding yourself together when you feel like you are falling short.

• Key lyric: “I got wasted like all my potential.” This line acknowledges the struggle without sugarcoating it, which can feel validating to listeners who are “just trying.” You can feel the pressure to confirm in this song, a need to be better.

2. Anti-Hero (Midnights)

Perhaps Taylor’s most straightforward exploration of intrusive thoughts and self-loathing.

• Key lyric: “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”This lyric has become instantly iconic because it echoes the negative self-talk many people experience. By turning it into a catchy chorus, Taylor normalises talking about the inner critic and the daily battle to curb the negative thoughts and patterns.

3. Nothing New (Red, Taylor’s Version)

Featuring Phoebe Bridgers, this track is about the fear of losing relevance and not being enough.

• Key lyric: “How can a person know everything at eighteen but nothing at twenty-two?”It captures the anxiety of growing up and realising that confidence can fade. This resonates with anyone who has felt uncertain as they move into new stages of life.

4. You’re On Your Own, Kid (Midnights)

A bittersweet song that recognises both isolation and resilience.

• Key lyric: “You’re on your own, kid, yeah, you always have been.”The lyric stings, but it also acknowledges the strength found in self-reliance. For listeners navigating loneliness, the song offers solidarity and a reminder of personal courage.

5. Clean (1989)

A metaphor for recovery, not just from heartbreak but from emotional pain in general.

• Key lyric: “The drought was the very worst / When the flowers that we’d grown together died of thirst.”This imagery of devastation followed by cleansing rain is a powerful symbol for moving through depression or loss and emerging renewed.

6. The Archer (Lover)

An ethereal, melancholic song about insecurity and the fear of being unseen.

• Key lyric: “I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost / The room is on fire, invisible smoke.”These words echo the physical restlessness of anxiety and the loneliness of not being understood. The song validates those quiet, inner battles.

7. Soon You’ll Get Better (Lover)

Written about Taylor’s mother’s illness, this song explores grief, hope, and helplessness.

• Key lyric: “Desperate people find faith, so now I pray to Jesus too.”The lyric shows the raw vulnerability of clinging to hope in the face of overwhelming fear. It is heartbreaking, but also a reminder that love drives resilience.

8. Shake It Off (1989)

A playful anthem that contrasts the heaviness of other songs on this list.

• Key lyric: “Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play / And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.”While lighthearted, these lyrics celebrate the power of resilience and choosing not to internalise negativity. It is a go-to mood lifter for anyone struggling with self-doubt or criticism.

Taylor Swift Albums Through the Lens of Mental Health

Taylor Swift (Debut, 2006) — Innocence, First Heartbreak, Teenage Anxiety

Fearless (2008) — Romantic Optimism vs. Fear of Rejection

Speak Now (2010) — Overthinking, Regret, Anxiety About Missed Chances

Red (2012, Taylor’s Version 2021) — Heartbreak, Emotional Turmoil, Depression

1989 (2014) — Escapism, Reinvention, Healing After Pain

Reputation (2017) — Anger, Isolation, Paranoia

Lover (2019) — Vulnerability, Anxiety, Family Trauma

Folklore (2020) — Introspection, Depression, Escapism

Evermore (2020) — Grief, Numbness, Longing for Closure

Midnights (2022) — Insomnia, Intrusive Thoughts, Self-Loathing

The Tortured Poets Department (2024) — Existential Reflection, Cynicism, Emotional Exhaustion

Now then, let's look a bit closer at how she writes those incredibly introspective songs!

Taylor Swift and the Power of Journaling

Taylor has always been open about her love of writing. Long before she became a global icon, she was filling notebooks with lyrics, poems, and diary entries. In interviews, she has described herself as "obsessive" about writing things down. Her notebooks are filled with raw drafts that eventually become the polished songs.

Why does this matter for mental health? Journaling is one of the most accessible tools for emotional release. What we see from Taylor time and time again is a strong businesswoman, and although we hear of her "mistakes", heartbreaks and insecurities through song, we can see that she must have an undeniable understanding of who she is as a person, and a great understanding of her emotions (and isn't afraid to voice them!). Although this might seem simple, many people suppress their feelings or simply never learn how to express themselves, instead conforming to a "tired" or "stressed" response. Just ask yourself, when was the last time you actually said "I'm lonely" or "I'm scared"? They aren't easy to voice, yet Taylor finds a way!

Writing by hand slows the mind, reduces racing thoughts, and helps us process emotions that otherwise feel overwhelming. Taylor has mastered this and has shown us all how important this skill is.

If you are inspired by Taylor’s habits, you do not need to be a songwriter to benefit; you just need to learn the basics of emotional literacy: naming your feelings, recognising when anxiety is peaking, and noticing what triggers stress or low mood. Guided journals like the Discovery Journal make this easier by providing prompts and language to help you get started. You don’t have to search your mind for the perfect words; you can simply respond and acknowledge what’s already on the page. Over time, this practice makes it easier to translate emotions into words, just as Taylor does in her music.

Discovery Journal - Pink

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Journaling Prompts Inspired by Taylor Swift Lyrics

One creative way to combine Taylor’s influence with your own self-care is through journaling prompts inspired by her lyrics. These songs touch on themes of anxiety, depression, healing, and resilience. Using her words as a jumping-off point makes journaling more approachable and personal, especially if you already connect with her music.

From This Is Me Trying (Folklore)

Lyric: “I got wasted like all my potential.” Prompt: Write about a time you felt you weren’t doing enough. What would you say to a friend in the same position?

From Anti-Hero (Midnights)

Lyric: “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” Prompt: What are the recurring negative thoughts you tell yourself? How true are they really?

From You’re On Your Own, Kid (Midnights)

Lyric: “You’re on your own, kid, yeah, you always have been.”

Prompt: Describe a moment you realised you had to rely on yourself. What strength did you discover?

From Clean (1989)

Lyric: “The drought was the very worst / When the flowers that we’d grown together died of thirst.” Prompt: What does recovery or starting fresh look like in your life right now?

From The Archer (Lover)

Lyric: “I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost / The room is on fire, invisible smoke.”

Prompt: What insecurities hold you back, and what evidence do you have that challenges them?

From Shake It Off (1989)

Lyric: “Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play / And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.”

Prompt: Who or what do you need to shake off to protect your peace?

From Soon You’ll Get Better (Lover)

Lyric: “Desperate people find faith, so now I pray to Jesus too.”

Prompt: Write about someone you love who has helped you through tough times. How can you show gratitude?

From All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Red, Taylor’s Version)

Lyric: “Maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much.”

Prompt: What memory do you revisit often? How does it shape you today?

If you love the idea of using prompts to kickstart your journaling, there are great tools out there to help. One option is the Unblocker Journal Prompts, a set of cards designed to make reflection feel more engaging. Each card is rated from easy to hard, adding a fun sense of challenge to the process. On one side, you’ll find a thoughtful quote, and on the other a reflective question. For Swifties especially, this approach works beautifully: you’re already inspired by meaningful words, so the prompts feel relatable and give your journaling a clear direction.

Unblocker Journal Prompts

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The Taylor Swift Playlist for Reflection and Healing

Creating a playlist can be a powerful motivator. Think about how people curate soundtracks for every moment, from “gym jams” to “Sunday morning vibes.” Building a playlist for journaling works the same way. It helps set a routine, creates the right atmosphere, and gives you a boost on days when motivation feels hard to find.

I've got you started:

Songs for Anxiety

• The Archer

• Nothing New

• This Is Me Trying

Songs for Sadness and Depression

• Anti-Hero

• Coney Island

• Tolerate It

Songs for Healing

• Clean

• Daylight

• Begin Again

Songs for Empowerment

• Shake It Off

• Long Live

• New Romantics

What Taylor Swift Teaches Us About Self-Care

So what lessons can we take from Taylor Swift about mental health and self-care?

• Write it down: She proves that writing, whether in a journal or a lyric draft, helps process emotions.

• Be honest: Vulnerability is not weakness. Sharing your truth can connect you with others.

• Find your soundtrack: Music can validate feelings and support healing.

• Embrace your eras: Just as Taylor has distinct creative eras, you are allowed to reinvent yourself and grow.

  
  

Whether you are battling anxiety, reflecting on depression, or celebrating resilience, there is a Taylor Swift lyric that fits the moment.

Taylor Swift’s influence extends beyond music charts. She has become a cultural figure who normalises writing, honesty, and emotional exploration. Her songs about mental health give voice to feelings many of us struggle to articulate. Her love of journaling shows that writing remains one of the most powerful tools for healing.

And if you are ready to begin, consider using the Discovery Journal. With guided prompts, it makes reflection feel approachable, just like Taylor’s songs make complex emotions feel relatable.

On World Mental Health Day and every day after, we can take inspiration from her example. Listen, reflect, write, and remind yourself that healing is not linear but always possible.

So grab a pen, put on your favourite Taylor playlist, and let the words flow.