28/11/2022
💡Let me explain why the closing sequence in Taylor Swift's "Anti-hero" music video is so meaningful and powerful.
The protagonist in the video, played by Taylor, is confronted by her own critical self, also played by Taylor, who tells her she's the problem, pushes her, criticizes her appearance, and casts doubts in her mind. The main character takes them all in and makes notes. Don't we all have that critical voice inside our heads that keeps telling us, "It's me, I'm the problem," until we believe it? Don't we also criticize ourselves quite a bit?
A different side of the main character, this time a huge Taylor who is an ugly "monster" and an outcast, is revealed. The protagonist's perception of everything she feels repulsive and disgusting about herself is embodied in this. Like the protagonist and Taylor, don't we also find elements of ourselves that are really tough to love? In Taylor's case, an example is her "covert narcissism masquerading as generosity."
In the end, if we are to be truly free and happy individuals, we must come to terms with, accept, and befriend both our critical self and the self we loathe. Integration is the process of getting to know all of our many sides, both positive and negative.
This is well portrayed in the closing scene. Despite being irritated with herself, the protagonist allows her critical self to sit next to her, and the two of them have a moment. As soon as they recognize their abhorrent larger selves, they both beam and gladly urge her to join them. They become the big self's home, and it ceases to be an outsider. They finish by sharing a drink and taking in the peace of midnight. It's quite emotional, especially when we acknowledge that this has already occurred to us in some manner or another and that it may still happen to us in the future with time and grace.
,
What aspects of yourself would you need to sit with or invite to share a minute of silence with you?