What Taylor Swift Buying Back Her Masters Can Teach Us About Healing

Even if you're not a Swiftie, you've probably heard that Taylor Swift recently reclaimed ownership of her masters. I've been reflecting on what a monumental achievement this is for her, and how it likely marks the end of a significant chapter in her life.

But here's the thing: even when we take powerful steps forward, the echoes of past experiences—negative memories and difficult emotions—can still shape our lives in unexpected ways.

Of course, Taylor is a real person, and we truly don’t know much about her private life, no matter how familiar her lyrics may feel. But if she ever came to me for IEMT (Integral Eye Movement Therapy), here are some areas I imagine might be worth exploring:

Negative Memories

• Discovering that her work had been sold without her consent
• Multiple failed attempts to buy back her catalog
• Harsh album reviews or public criticism
• Painful breakups and emotional fallout

Difficult Emotions
While I can't speak for her, I know her lyrics well enough to guess that emotions like sadness, anger, and regret might be central.
“And my words shoot to kill when I’m mad / I have a lot of regrets about that.”
— Taylor Swift, “This is Me Trying”

These aren’t just lines in a song—they hint at real emotional depth that many of us can relate to.

Identities of Other People
In IEMT, many people find it helpful to examine the impact of specific individuals in their past—parents, exes, authority figures. In Taylor’s case, I’d likely suggest exploring the identities of people involved in the original sale of her music, as well as any emotionally charged relationships tied to power, betrayal, or trust.

Labels, Nicknames & Limiting Beliefs
It’s common for people to carry around internalized labels and nicknames—often unconsciously—that shape their behavior or self-worth. Things like:

• “Black sheep”
• “Too sensitive”
• “Too much”
• “Not enough”

I wonder what nicknames or labels Taylor might have absorbed over the years.
“Splendidly selfish, charmingly helpless / Excellent fun 'til you get to know her / Then she runs like it’s a race... / They nicknamed her ‘The Bolter.’”
— Taylor Swift, “The Bolter”

Lines like these show how deeply labels can cut—and how healing it can be to challenge them.

Limiting Beliefs
These can stem from early experiences, and shape how we see ourselves and our potential. Common ones include:

• “I’m not good enough.”
• “I’m unlovable.”
• “I can’t catch a break.”
• “I don’t deserve success.”
  

IEMT is all about exploring the root causes of these beliefs. When you begin to unpack the memories, emotions, and people that shaped your inner world, the insights can be transformative.

Even icons like Taylor Swift have emotional landscapes shaped by past experiences. And while we might not know the full story, her journey offers a powerful reminder: healing isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about acknowledging what you’re carrying with you.

If you’re ready to unpack some of your own baggage, IEMT can be a meaningful place to start.