On the Taylor Swift effect, cruel summers & a seasonal workshop☀️

“I want to still have a sharp pen and a thin skin and an open heart."

Taylor Swift

Hey Friend,

Like many very lucky human beings last Friday, I joined 88,000 Swfties at Wembley for her incredible, culture-defining, memory-making Eras tour.  It was legendary.

This is NOT a newsletter on TS marketing lessons or community building. Because honestly, she goes beyond that.  And I need to too. Excuse me while I over-emote. *

Her performance. Artistry. Vision. Stamina. Sheer professionalism. Cosmic.

She somehow combines total superstar power, with a sweet vulnerability and humanness.

The best bit? My 16-year-old daughter – a Swiftie since age 4 and goal-led, classic good girl type (apple, tree, hi) transformed in front of my eyes. Into this sequin clad, expansive, free version of herself – dancing endlessly, singing her heart out, reaching for glitter and confetti and magic. Starlight.

All my friends who went over the weekend (ok, my data point is 4) said the same about their daughters. 

We can talk about the Taylor Swift Economy but how about the Taylor Swift Effect?

A luminous, human permission slip to shine.
Showing girls how to dream exponentially.
Empowering young women to design their destiny (I stole these words from Tiffany Philippou’s LinkedIn). 

That, my friend, is the TS effect.
It’s what we came for (and ps. I’m guessing it’s not just for girls).

*Ref: the Taylor Swift quote at the start of this newsletter.

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Cruel summers or summer plans?

Last week, a client and dear friend asked me what my summer plans are. I immediately felt itchy. Overwhelmed. Like I hadn’t paused to get clear on what I’m hoping to bring into this summer.

Let me park my privilege right here. Yes, I have my lovely fortnight in Cyprus booked. A couple of gorgeous weekends away with friends and family.

But I haven’t taken stock of what my real intention is in my business, my creative life, my writing. Beyond press releases, proms, university open days and a camping weekend; who do I want to be in it?

It will surprise nobody reading this that I identify strongly as a summer person. Yet, last year I noticed a season-long unravelling that left me scattered, almost reeling in September. Like I’d abandoned parts of myself in ways I still can’t articulate. It wasn’t cute.

A low-grade habit here. Pausing a positive one there “because it’s summer.”  It felt like there was a lot to shift through once the holiday laundry was done.  

Summer brings a strange weight of expectations that comes with her long days and over-committed nights. That strange tension of wanting to slow down and stay busy because you have that summer energy.  I also find it’s a time when ALL the ideas ever tend to come to you that you ear mark for back-to-school and then… 

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Write into Summer

Friend, what are your summer plans?

Long-term Conversation readers will remember my Write Into seasonal workshops. Some of you will have come along.

I’d love you to join me for a Write into Summer session at 10am on 12th July. It’s a focused hour of reflection and goal setting - whether you're opting for a slowdown summer or a season of sustained productivity, on your terms.  Bring a summer project. Let go of an old one. We'll gather, get clear on where we are, and set creative and business intentions for the season. Sign up here.

PS I’m putting The Conversation onto a bi-weekly summer schedule in July. I have a FULL PR client roster right now and I need to make space for some poems. Your inbox is welcome 😉  

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Thank you for staying till the end. Would be so grateful if you could support this newsletter with a ❤️ or a comment.

With love,
Antonia xo