How to Make Your Perfect Meditation Playlist

Some people meditate best in silence, but I, for one, am not among them. In a space without sound, my monkey mind jumps from topic to topic, recalling what I had for lunch, plotting out all the items on my to-do list, and flipping through the radio stations of non-stop chatter in my head. If I’m going to get into a true meditative state, I need something to help me focus and allow my nervous system to chill the heck out. For me, that something is music.

I’m not alone in needing some tunes to settle my mind. As a vehicle for meditation, music has been proven to exhibit powerful effects on our bodies and brains. Peaceful sounds reduce the body’s stress response and can even lower blood pressure. Choosing the right lineup of songs is key for bringing about these soothing effects during meditation, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. Especially if you’re new to the practice, how do you compile a spot-on playlist? Here’s are our tips for putting together the perfect mindful jam.

1. Set some goals. Different kinds of meditation call for different kinds of mood-setting. Sometimes you want to meditate for energy and vitality. Other times a trip floating weightlessly through space fits the bill. So to start off, it’s helpful to nail down what you’re after in your particular practice — even if it’s multiple things. If you use a music service like Spotify, iTunes, or Pandora, try creating individual playlists for the various forms of meditation you’d like to practice. “Meditation for Energy,” “Meditation for Relaxation,” or “Meditation for Healing” are a few list titles that can help organize your tunes — and your thoughts.

2. Give it time. Give some thought to how long you realistically meditate, and build your mix accordingly. Unless you’re a serious guru, a meditation playlist doesn’t have to be hours long, and having even a few songs selected can be a motivator to get a flagging practice off the ground. Perhaps all you need is a 20-minute cycle of songs to shuffle through during your everyday downtime. While it’s true that over time listening to the same half-dozen melodies on repeat can get monotonous, it’s best to start small, knowing you can always add to your list as time goes by.

3. Track down tracks. Once you’ve figured out what kinds of meditation you’re going for and how long the list should be, it’s time to fill out your feel-good roster. What specific songs do you want soothing your mind and focusing your thoughts? And where exactly do you find them? To start, think of songs you already know help you unwind or energize, depending on your goal. If you’ve got a few in mind, drag and drop them into a playlist to get things rolling. Then, if you’re using a music service that links you to larger databases, take advantage of the option to click a song to “see more like this” or “go to song radio.” to find a slew of new material similar to your known preferences. Alternatively, check out premade ambient or meditative playlists for inspo or a quick-start option. If you’re a true newbie with no go-to tunes, or if you don’t subscribe to a music service, no worries: As usual, the internet saves the day. Try searching YouTube for meditative music, or Google free ambient radio stations, then make a playlist from what you find. It also never hurts to keep your ears open for songs that speak to you as you go about your day. Keep a log of songs that catch your ear, and add them to your list when you get the chance.

4. Think outside the ambient box. Believe it or not, music for meditation doesn’t have to reverberate with Tibetan gongs and chants of “om.” In fact, it doesn’t have to sound like anything in particular, as long as it sounds good to you. Research shows that the soothing effects of songs have more to do with the way we feel about them than with their content. One study showed that when people listened to music they loved, it stimulated the part of the brain associated with focused thought, empathy, and self-awareness — far more so than when subjects felt “meh” about what they heard. So if Guns N’ Roses blisses you out or Mozart ramps you up, don’t hesitate to add them to your rotation. In the end, only you can perfect your personal meditation playlist.

What music helps you meditate? Tweet us about it @BritandCo.

(Photos via Getty)

We are now two for two on expecting Taylor Swift to announce Reputation (Taylor's Version) during an acceptance speech and getting an album announcement instead. After showing up to the 2022 VMAs in a "Look What You Made Me Do"-inspired outfit and announcing Midnights, Taylor Swift wore a black and white ensemble on the 2024 Grammys red carpet before telling the world her new album The Tortured Poets Department was on its way!

And while accepting the 2024 iHeart Radio Music Award for Artist of the Year, Taylor also promises the rest of 2024 will be just as exciting as 2023. "We have so many exciting things ahead of us," the 1989 (Taylor's Version)singer says after thanking iHeart and the fans. "Most importantly, I have a brand new album called The Tortured Poets Department, which comes out on April 19. I cannot wait to share it with you...I just can't wait to keep having fun with you guys because we have a lot of exciting things coming up."

One of those exciting things includes a music video, which Taylor revealed in a "TTPD Timetable" Instagram video. This first music video premieres April 19 at 8PM EST for "Fortnight." Here's everything else we know about the new Taylor Swift album, and all its pop culture references.(And everything you need to know about Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version) too ;)).

Is The Tortured Poets Department going to be in the Eras Tour?

Image via Taylor Swift/YouTube Shorts

Yes, it looks like TTPD will be added into The Eras Tour! While I originally wondered if Taylor would just use the album during the surprise song segment of her concerts, a recent video from Taylor herself show off two clips that, in my opinion, prove we're getting an additional set. We can see Taylor leaning against what's undeniably the "TTPD" logo (while wearing shoes that could totally be in the "Fortnight" video?!) and an unfamiliar number with her background dancers using canes and top hats.

Considering "Fortnight" is the lead single, we'll probably see that song on tour. Based on the circus-themed lyrics in "Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me?" I'm wondering if we'll see that as well. I would also get DOWN to "Guilty As Sin?"

What has Donna Kelce said about TTPD?

Image via David Eulitt/Getty Images

It looks like Donna Kelce has been listening to Taylor Swift's new album as much as we have! "I listened to the whole album, and I listened to it all morning long when it was released," she tells People. "I was just very impressed. She is a very talented woman, and I think it is probably her best work."

Donna also says that, rather than giving Taylor Swift life advice, she's hoping Taylor can offer her some guidance! "She doesn’t need my advice on anything. In fact, I hope she will give me advice," she continues.

Is there a Tortured Poets Department cardigan?

Image via UMG Store/Taylor Swift

Yes, you can order a Tortured Poets Department cardigan on Taylor Swift's website now (or at least, while supplies last!). The gray button down is in the same cable knit style as all her previous cardigans, which makes it the perfect collector's item! Plus, it's got that iconic "The Tortured Poets Department" patch on the bottom left of the sweater.

What is TTPD the Anthology?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift released the full version of TTPD with The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. After all those 2 references, some fans thought we'd get a Taylor Swift book, while others wondered if it was part of the TS12 countdown. Instead, it was a double album that features 31 songs instead of the initial 17! Some tracks the internet is already obsessed with are "So High School,""thanK you aIMee," and "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived."

How many songs will be on The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift dropped The Tortured Poets Department 's first song list February 5. "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart" is totally referencing Taylor Swift's Eras Tour performances following her split from Joe Alwyn (you can see her crying during the set), while "Florida!!!" is all about using the southern state as an escape. Taylor Swift's dad Scott Swift recently told fans he's most excited for Swifties to hear the title track and "Florida!!!"

While we were excited for these tracks, Taylor surprised us with even more at 2AM! The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology has all the songs from the original album, plus 15 more. Here's the full tracklist for TS11:

  1. Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)
  2. The Tortured Poets Department
  3. My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys
  4. Down Bad
  5. So Long, London
  6. But Daddy I Love Him
  7. Fresh Out the Slammer
  8. Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)
  9. Guilty as Sin?
  10. Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?
  11. I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)
  12. loml
  13. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart
  14. The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
  15. The Alchemy
  16. Clara Bow
  17. The Black Dog
  18. imgonnagetyouback
  19. The Albatross
  20. Chloe or Sam or Sophie or Marcus
  21. How Did It End?
  22. So High School
  23. I Hate It Here
  24. thanK you aIMee
  25. I Look in People's Windows
  26. The Porphecy
  27. Cassandra
  28. Peter
  29. The Bolter
  30. Robin
  31. The Manuscript

What is a tortured poets department?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift has spent years talking about her anxiety, her sleepless nights, and her emotions. "My muses, acquired like bruises / My talismans and charms / The tick, tick, tick of love bombs / My veins of pitch black ink," she writes in her official Instagram post. "All's fair in love and poetry."

As far as the name, it looks like The Tortured Poets Department could be referencing her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn's group chat name — "The Tortured Man Club" with Paul Mescal (who starred in Normal People while Joe starred Conversations With Friends. Both series are based on Sally Rooney books).

Taylor Swift is also making major connections to the "poetry" aspect of TTPD because ahead of the album release, she gave us a limited library installation pop-upfull of Easter eggs and references!

When is The Tortured Poets Department release date?

Image via Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The Tortured Poets Department dropped on April 19, 2024. Ahead of the release, Taylor Swift sent fans on a scavenger hunt to gather clues about the album. @eurosweetheart on TikTok points out that on Apple Music, certain song lyrics from Taylor's discography featured random capital letters. But when the letters were strung together, they formed words! The final message was “We hereby conduct this post mortem.”

At the Eras Tour shows in Tokyo, Taylor Swift explained when she started working on TTPD. “I’ve been working on Tortured Poets since right after I turned in Midnights,” she said onstage. “So, you turn in an album months in advance…and I’ve been working on it for about two years. I kept working on it throughout the U.S. tour and when it was perfect, in my opinion, when it was good enough for you, I finished it.”

"Soon you'll get to hear it, soon we'll get to experience it together," she continued. "I'm over the moon about the fact that you guys care about my music...Everyone’s like, ‘Why do you make so many albums?’ And I’m like, ‘Man, because I love it! I love it so much! I’m having fun, leave me alone.'”

The brand new album follows Speak Now (Taylor's Version) and 1989 (Taylor's Version). When Midnights was announced after Fearless (Taylor's Version) and Red (Taylor's Version), I wondered whether she'd have a two rerecordings, one new album pattern and it looks like that's what we're getting!

What is Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift's new album (which is also referred to as TS11) is called The Tortured Poets Department. Taylor Swift announced the album while accepting the award for Best Pop Album at the 2024 Grammys. Just like "Daylight" at the end of Lover sets up Midnights, I think "Dear Reader" sets up The Tortured Poets Department.

In honor of the eclipse on April 8, Taylor Swift posted the first lyrics from TS11! "Crowd goes wild at her fingertips // Half moonshine // Full eclipse," the lyric post (which ended up being from "Clara Bow") reads. "The first line makes you think of someone who’s famous (Clara Bow was an actress) and...moonshine was a type of alcohol that was popular during prohibition during the 1920s which is when Clara Bow was famous," one comment reads.

Taylor's official announcement features even more beautiful language that evokes the same emotion "The Lakes" does, and TTPD is very similar to Folklore and Evermore in terms of lyrics, but the sound reminds me of 1989. It also has ties to Reputation.

"I think the two albums are sisters albums, but in like an opposite way," one Reddit user says. "Reputation is all black, this one is going to be all white and softly coded." Another agrees: "Reputation is presented as a dark album but is truly a love album...This one is presented as soft and white but I bet the lyrics will be devastating."

TS11 has the same lyrical prowess as songs like "Would've, Should've, Could've," The National's "The Alcott" (on which Taylor's a featured artist), and "You're Losing Me." Taylor is all about looking past appearances and telling a complex story, and The Tortured Poets Department will be no different. Just like Reputation is an edgy, glittery, emotionally-charged version of the beginning of her relationship with ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn, I totally agree that TTPD looks grounded, airbrushed, and dreamy from the outside, but the lyrics are SAD.

During her Eras Tour show in Sydney, Australia, Taylor played another round of suspicious surprise songs. While sitting at the piano, Taylor Swift takes her earpiece out and calls attention to the keyboard. "Do you hear that?" she says (via TikTok). "My damn keyboard's playing a synth sound." She then does what she almost always does when dropping an Easter egg: she smirks.

"That sound is how the album starts, mark my words," one comment reads. Another says, "That smirk tells me everything I need to know."

Will The Tortured Poets Department be explicit?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

There are 7 explicit songs on the original The Tortured Poets Department: "The Tortured Poets Department," "Down Bad," "But Daddy I Love Him," "Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)," "loml," "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart," and "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived."

On The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, "The Black Dog," "thanK you aIMee," "Cassandra," and "The Bolter" are also explicit.

What is The Albatross about?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

During one of her Eras Tour shows in Sydney, Australia, Taylor Swift announced a new version of The Tortured Poets Department featuring exclusive bonus track "The Albatross." This new album already has some crazy track titles — all with pretty noteworthy meanings.

According to Collins Dictionary, if you call someone an Albatross, "they cause you great problems from which you cannot escape, or they prevent you from doing what you want to do," while a Bolter could refer to someone bolting out of a relationship (or bolting from a restaurant to a car like in this viral clip 🤨).

Meanwhile "The Alchemy" refers to the continual process of trying to turn something into gold — remember how Taylor Swift spent 6 years saying her relationship with Joe Alwyn was golden? Buckle up Swifties, TS11 is one wild ride.

What does loml mean?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

At first glance, the twelfth song on The Tortured Poets Department, "loml," means "love of my life." Some fans were wondering if the song was a nod to Harry Styles since his Harry's House finale track is "Love of My Life" (the album also features a track named "Daylight" which is another funny connection to Taylor Swift). But Taylor ends the song saying he's the "loss of my life" and I will never be the same.

How can I buy The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift store

You can order a bunch of different versions of The Tortured Poets Department on Taylor Swift's website right now, includingThe Tortured Poets Department CD + Bonus Track "The Manuscript" and The Tortured Poets Department CD + Bonus Track "The Manuscript".

Will The Tortured Poets Department have any featured artists?

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Yes, The Tortured Poets Department will feature Florence + The Machine on the song "Florida!!!" and Post Malone on the song "Fortnight." And after Taylor Swift teased a variety of collaborations by posting handwritten lyrics from artists like Harry Styles and Lorde, Swifties wondered if The Tortured Poets Department will be the "collab album" we never got.

Another clue that leads me to believe this is true is the fact that the title of this album is so much longer than her other titles — and she refers to herself as "Chairman" of the department. Who are all the constituents?! Are they all the same artists who left Scooter Braun's management last year? Only time will tell, because as far as I'm concerned, surprises aren't out of the question until the TS11 era is over!👀

What is the theory of Taylor Swift's double album?

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Throughout her stay in Sydney, Australia for the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift dropped lots — and I mean lots — of twos. @v_swiftie_ points out that in addition to holding up the number two while announcing The Tortured Poets Department, she's been playing more surprise song mashups than normal, and Taylor Nation has been posting Instagram stories featuring the number 2 instead of the number 13. And it turns out, we were right about this leading to a double album! Taylor dropped the second half of TTPD — The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology — at 2AM EST.

Are you excited for The Tortured Poets Department? What kinds of collabs or songs are you hoping for? Let us know in the comments and check out these Taylor Swift Disney Movie Posters Inspired By Her Songs for more fun content!

Lead image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

This post has been updated.

I can give you two reasons why Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's marriage sits high on my admiration list — Veronica Mars and Punk'd. I was in barely in middle school when these two stars graced my TV screen on their respective shows, but they've always stood out to me. Discovering they were dating just seemed to make sense in the grand scheme of good romantic pairings and — as we can see — it turns out Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard think so too.

From their first meet-cute that wasn't actually that cute to the ways they've loved each other through dark times, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard almost make being in love look easy. Here's a breakdown of some of the most important moments of their relationship timeline.

Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard's Relationship Timeline:

Image via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

2007: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Meet + Begin Dating

The couple haven't been shy about revealing their first time meeting was exactly love at first sight. Kristen Bell admitted during an Instagram Q&A in 2018 that they actually met at a party for producer Shauna Robertson. E! News recalled that the actress said, "2 weeks later I saw him at a hockey game and he asked for the gum in my mouth." Knowing Dax's personality, that actually checks out.

She also revealed his unconventional pickup line. "Truly, his first text to me was: ‘Hi. My name is Dax. I violated your privacy and got your number from Shauna. How do you feel about that,'' she remembered.

Though they did start dating, Kristen regularly trolls Dax about the time they briefly broke up. She told Popsugar, "He sat me down and said, 'I can't have this right now. I think you're wonderful, but I am still dating other people.' And then I, like, liquefied and fell to the ground, but I felt incredibly respected that he had the balls to tell me we weren't in the same place."

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

2009: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Work As Co-Stars During Filming Of When in Rome

Who can forget the hilarious rom-com movie When in Rome? Kristen starred as the 'unlucky in love' main character Beth who finds herself being pursued by a handful of romantic prospects after she picks up coins from a fountain that's supposed to grant love those who dare to take from it. Dax played the role of Gale, a model who was very into himself, and it was funny watching them interact on-screen.

According to People, the couple got engaged shortly after filming ended.

Image via Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT

August 2012: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Work Together Again On Set Of Hit & Run

Written by Dax Shepard, Hit & Run revolved around a former getaway driver's attempt to flee his past while making sure his girlfriend makes it to her job interview on time. The couple reprised their romantic relationship onscreen and continued to prove that they work really well together.

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

November 2012: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Announce They're Expecting Baby No. 1

A source relayed the news to People in 2012 by sharing the following statement, "They’re so excited — they’re both ecstatic. They can’t wait to become parents." They also shared that Kristen had been dealing with a bit of morning sickness, but she started doing better as time passed.

March 28, 2013: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's First Daughter Arrives

Several months later, Kristen gave birth birth to her and Dax's first daughter, Lincoln Bell Shepard.

Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images

June 2013: Kristen Bell Pops The Question To Dax Shepard

In 2013, People shared that Kristen proposed to Dax Shepard after The Supreme Court overturned California's Prop 8 that was meant to ban same-sex marriage.

October 2013: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Tie The Knot

The couple celebrated their union by exchanging vows at a courthouse. Kristen previously told People they didn't want a grand celebration and they managed to keep their word.

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

June 2014: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Prepare For Baby No. 2's Arrival

The couple happily announced they were growing their family in 2014 via their rep's statement to People. "I can confirm that Kristen and Dax are expecting their second child and a sibling for Lincoln," the rep shared. They also touched on how much their family was looking forward to the arrival of a new bundle of joy.

December 2014: The Couple's Second Daughter Is Born

Finally, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Delta Bell Shepard, before Christmas in 2014.

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

2017: Dax Shepard And Kristen Bell Star in CHiPS

A couple who works together, stays together — at least that seems to apply Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. They starred together again in the movie CHiPS, but Kristen starred as Dax's ex-wife this time.

Image via Michael Buckner/Getty Images for FIJI Water

September 1, 2018: Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard Celebrate His Sobriety Journey

Dax Shepard has never been ashamed to talk about his sobriety journey and shared a personal moment with that made him question everything He appeared on Blake Griffin's podcast, The Pursuit of Healthiness to talk about his struggles in 2021. "What I would do is I would get sober for movies. I cared more about movies — it was the only thing I was more addicted to was being in movies — and so I would get sober for movies and then in between movies it was getting more and more dangerous," he recalled.

It wasn't until he caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror during a trip to Hawaii that he realized something was wrong. He remembered thinking, "I have every single thing I've ever wanted, and I'm at my lowest point emotionally and something has got to be very broken about that. If I have everything I said was going to make me feel good and I feel terrible, I've got to look at some other thing."

To celebrate her husband's commitment to remaining sober, Kristen wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram to encourage him to keep going. "I'm so proud that you have never been ashamed of your story, but instead shared it widely, with the hope it might inspire someone else to become the best version of themselves...I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone, and I want you to know, I see you. I see how hard you work," a portion of the lengthy message reads.

Addiction in any form is never easy to navigate so we admire how much Kristen's been supportive of Dax.

Image via John Sciulli:Getty Images for UNICEF

February 2019: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Launch A Baby Brand

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard decided to launch Hello Bello— a brand with everything from diapers to sun and bug protection — for several reasons. "I want something that's going to fill my soul. I want access to be able to give a lot of stuff away just as gifts, as a way of saying thank you for existing in this hard time called parenting," she told People in 2021.

Image via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

September 2023: Kristen Bell And Dax Share The Secret To Their Happy Marriage

It's no doubt that Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have experienced a lot throughout their marriage, but they've managed to stay the course. Kristen actually shared some amazing advice for other couples during a conversation with Entertainment Tonight that we're thinking about applying to our own relationships. "Common goals, seek them out," she stressed.

The other thing she feels is crucial to making a relationship work is truly seeing and valuing your partner as a person. "Understanding that your partner used to be a little person is the best thing you can do. Sometimes if we're ever on the verge of a fight, one of us will say — it's usually Dax — 'I feel like 8-year-old Dax right now.' And I'm able to see him like I see my kids, which is in a very different way and go, 'Oh yeah, you're a little person that had trauma and triggers and it's not about me,'" she added.

That's powerful because it can be hard to remember that it's not just about you in a relationship. We don't think people intentionally mean to be selfish, but it can be happen and the key is to acknowledge it instead of doubling down on a particular stance that may not be helpful in the heat of an argument.

Wanna keep up with all your fave celeb couples? Follow us on Facebook for more!

Lead image via John Sciulli/Getty Images for UNICEF

If there are two things you can count on, it's that I'm always thinking about Gilmore Girls and I'm always listening to Taylor Swift. As soon as I pressed play on The Tortured Poets Department, I could tell this album would resonate with so many experiences I had a child and a teenager. I've always been imaginative (and, admittedly, a bit spacey), and to this day, I never leave home without a book.

I've built thousands of imaginary worlds and crafted endless stories, but have always had difficulty keeping up with real-world relationships. So, needless to say, when I listened to Taylor Swift's new album and heard "I Hate It Here" and "The Bolter," I felt seen. I also realized these two songs would speak to Rory Gilmore in the same way!

Rory Gilmore Would Love "I Hate It Here" By Taylor Swift...

Image via Warner Bros. TV

"I Hate It Here" totally showcases Taylor Swift's ability to express raw emotions, and it also perfectly captures Rory Gilmore's struggles during certain periods of her life. The lyrics reflect frustration and dissatisfaction we can all feel sometimes (I know I've definitely felt them), and while Rory and Taylor's dreams in and of themselves are different, they both want to leave their small towns to achieve them. Whether it's feeling overwhelmed by expectations or facing setbacks in her career in Gilmore Girls season 5, Rory has moments throughout the series where she feels a bit trapped.

But even more than the physical meaning of the song is the imaginary one. Taylor sings about creating worlds in her mind and diving into books to escape the mundane. Rory reads more than any fictional character I've ever seen before because she also craves that escapism! The lyrics of "I Hate It Here" resonate with Rory when she wants to live different lives, and it encapsulates the moments when she struggles or questions her decisions — relatable!

...And She'd Feel Attacked By "The Bolter" By Taylor Swift

Image via Warner Bros. TV

TBH, I'm half convinced "The Bolter" is referencing Amy March (after all, Amy has been "reviled" by readers for hundreds of years, and she "almost drowned...in frigid water" like Taylor sings), which is just another literary reference Rory would pick up on.

In "The Bolter," Taylor Swift captures the essence of a woman constantly seeking adventure and change, just like Rory Gilmore, and it's all about the idea of a restless spirit. While the lyrics can be taken from a hypothetical standpoint (feeling trapped by relationships or other people's expectations), we can also talk about it literally considering Rory physically runs away from Jess.

Rory might desire love, but the idea of it also scares her — two facts that don't cancel each other out! Just like Taylor Swift, I think Rory's thrilled by the idea of escape simply because she's so risk averse in other areas of her life. Once again, I say, relatable!!

"The Bolter" and "I Hate It Here" are both incredibly engaging songs because they highlight just how complex we are as humans — both in the ways we relate to ourselves and other people. And they're just two Taylor Swift songs Rory would definitely add to her playlist.

Which Taylor Swift and Rory Gilmore parallels do you see? Follow us on Facebook for more pop culture musings!

Lead image via Warner Bros. TV

Once summer rolls around, strawberries take center stage, which means strawberry desserts are the highlight of the season. From classics like strawberry shortcake to innovative creations like strawberry s’mores, these 32 strawberry desserts push the boundaries of that fruity, juicy flavor we all know and love. Get ready to indulge!

Strawberry Freakshakes

Think of this recipe as your traditional strawberry milkshake, but leveled-up beyond compare. The "freak" label for these decadent shakes is entirely accurate, as they get loaded with sugar, ice cream, donuts, whipped cream, and of course, rainbow sprinkles. (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Donuts

These strawberry donuts earn a healthy (or well, healthier) edge by using whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and Greek yogurt. Don't worry though – they're still as sweet as ever, and they'll be super tasty alongside some coffee for a nice morning treat! (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Tart

This tart looks impressive, but it's not all that hard to execute. Get your hands on just 5 ingredients – store-bought pastry dough and custard help expedite the process – and you'll be well on your way to strawberry, dessert-y goodness. (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Chia Oatmeal Cookies

Turns out, you can eat cookies for breakfast! These strawberry-filled lil' bites serve as a quick power-up with fruit, oats, and chia seeds. You can even pack a few in your lunchbox for a healthy mid-day snack sesh. (via Brit + Co)

Boozy Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

These skewered strawberry desserts would make a fun Friday night activity to share with your boo! Simply soak some fresh berries in pink champagne overnight, then assemble them onto skewers before dipping them right into a dark chocolate bath and garnishing with more chocolate and crushed pistachios! (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Lemon Cookies

Strawberries and lemons are a match made in flavor heaven, and these easy cookies (they only take 20 minutes) deliver a strawberry lemonade-type taste. Summer, here we come! (via The Edgy Veg)

Chocolate Strawberry Cake

We are salivating for this chocolatey cake! The cakey layers are quite simple to make, then you'll use fresh strawberries for the mid-layer and as a beautiful garnish. Don't you dare forget to add that creamy chocolate ganache! (via Give Recipes)

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry shortcake is an absolute classic! This recipe makes a few simple swaps (like whole wheat flour instead of regular, and maple syrup instead of white sugar) to make each and every bite a tad bit lighter than your traditional take. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Dark Chocolate Strawberry S'mores

You haven't lived until you've tried putting fresh strawberries on your s'mores. Just look at that gooey goodness! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Peanut Butter Cake with Strawberry Frosting

Once you learn how to make this sweet strawberry frosting, you'll wanna put it on everything you make, from cupcakes to cookies. And yes, even this nutty peanut butter cake! Pile it on real high. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

The crunchy coating on these strawberry shortcake-inspired ice cream bars is exactly why you need to make them this summer. It's comprised of brown Rice Krispie pieces and freeze-dried strawberries to add some variety in texture, and wow, is it delicious! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Rhubarb makes an excellent partner to strawberries. Case in point: this no-frills, uber-fresh pie with an impressive lattice crust! (via Completely Delicious)

Strawberry Cocoa

This sip is like if you combined a strawberry shake and hot chocolate into one. It's so dreamy! (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Chocolate Strawberry Hi-Hat Cupcakes

That cross-section, though! These rich chocolate cupcakes are piled high with strawberry Swiss meringue buttercream icing. Once they're iced, they're dipped in even more chocolate to form a satisfying outer shell. (via Butternut Bakery)

Strawberry Fudge with Marshmallow Fluff

These strawberry fudge bites are just perfect for a little Valentine's Day dessert. This recipe surely doesn't shy away from sugar! (via Where Is My Spoon?)

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Matcha Madeleines

Matcha, chocolate, and strawberries?! We are totally swooning over these tiny strawberry desserts. While the madeleine cookies are soft and airy, the dark chocolate layer on the outside provides a nice crunch, contrasting the textures and flavors in each bite. (via The Original Dish)

Strawberry Cake Mix Brownies

Strawberry cake mix makes these strawberry desserts so much quicker, but they don't skimp on flavor at all. If you want to take things up a notch, try adding some fresh strawberries on top! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats

These Rice Krispie treats would make our child selves go crazy. You'll only need four ingredients to make 'em: freeze-dried strawberries, cereal, marshmallows, and butter, so they're a good dessert to make if you don't have a lot of ingredients on-hand and don't feel up to baking! (via The Endless Meal)

Chocolate Strawberry Mock-tini

This non-alcoholic, dairy free martini is decadence at its finest. You'll create your very own chocolate coconut simple syrup before concocting a mix of cashew milk, strawberries, and swirls of melted chocolate. (via Chef Bai)

Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Strawberry Jam

We all need more brownie recipes in our life, right? These rich bars are instantly elevated by a homemade strawberry jam that you'll likely have leftovers of to put on toasts, sandwiches, and more strawberry desserts! (via Two Spoons)

Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast

Although this recipe's a bit more breakfast-y, it still qualifies as dessert in our minds because it's loaded to the brim with a super-sweet cream cheese filling and sweetened strawberries worthy of the dessert table. Plus, there's plenty of syrup to go around! (via Live Eat Learn)

Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

These strawberry desserts are snack-worthy in the morning, afternoon, and as a late night snack, of course! If you thought store-bought Pop Tarts were good, just wait 'til you make them for yourself with fresh strawberries. (via Crowded Kitchen)

Strawberry Cheesecake Vatrushka Buns

The strawberry cheesecake filling stuffed into these airy buns is to die for! Prep a batch for a fun cafe-themed party, or keep the half-dozen all to yourself for morningtime bliss. (via Vikalinka)

Strawberry Banana Bread

Banana bread is a total lifesaver when it comes to using those overripe bananas sitting out on your counter, and it gets even better once strawberries enter the mix! This recipe is moist, sweet, and perfect as a little treat. (via Averie Cooks)

Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes

Looking for vegan strawberry desserts? Your search is over with these vegan strawberry cupcakes covered in vegan whipped cream. Add some more fresh berries for full effect! (via Earthly Provisions)

Strawberry Scones

Dare to make your local coffee shop jealous with these homemade scones using strawberries. Once you're done baking them, you'll cover each one with a delicious strawberry cream cheese frosting for maximum flavor. (via Most Hungry)

Strawberry Rhubarb Galette

Sweet galette recipes are our weakness. They're so sweet and shareable, plus this one in particular is a good way to start using all your farmer's market produce! (via Amanda Wilens)

2-Ingredient Strawberry Banana Ice Cream

Simply blend some frozen strawberries and bananas together, and you've got a sweet treat that can fulfill your cravings for creamy ice cream! For even more dessert vibes, top this recipe with sprinkles, Oreos, or chocolate syrup, Or all three. We'd do it, too. (via Rachel Mansfield)

Strawberry Chocolate Mint Smoothies

The addition of mint leaves takes this sweet sipper to a whole new level. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Strawberry Jelly No-Bake Cheesecake

Have you ever seen a cheesecake so beautiful?! Plus, this one requires zero baking, making it the perfect pick for hot summers. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Strawberry Macarons

If you're up to the challenge, making macarons yourself can be so rewarding. Each of these little sweet sandwiches is filled with strawberry jam and a cheesecake-inspired icing. (via Barley & Sage)

Vegan Fruity Pebble Cheesecake

Colorful, fruity, and sweet? Say no more. This Fruity Pebbles cheesecake just earned the top spot on our "to-bake" list!(via No Eggs or Ham)

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Lead image via The Endless Meal.

There are a number of TV shows in the running for best teen drama. I'm ready to press play on The Summer I Turned Pretty, One Tree Hill, and The Vampire Diaries at any given moment, but there is nothing like watching Friday Night Lights season 1. It might not be as glamorous as Gossip Girl, but that's exactly why it resonates so deeply when you watch it — FNL both highlights and honors viewers' real-world experiences because the characters are SO relatable. Instead of leaving you envious of a fictional life, Friday Night Lights welcomes you into a community you feel like you already know.


Image via NBC

Everyone in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas lives and breathes football, and Friday Night Lights season 1 opens just before the first game of the season. Right off the bat, we're introduced to characters that both evoke emotion and spark our curiosity, and we're told exactly where they are in their lives: new head coach Eric Taylor is struggling to win the town's confidence. Fullback Tim Riggins struggles both with motivation and against confident running back Smash Williams. All-American quarterback Jason Street has dreams of playing in the NFL while timid Matt Saracen takes care of his grandmother during the afternoon and serves as second-string quarterback at night.

Not to mention the fact that when I watched Friday Night Lights for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised by how compelling and multi-dimensional the women are. Tami Taylor has the perfect blend of motherly love and the kind of Southern sass that puts you in your place. Minka Kelly's Lyla Garrity is one of my favorite TV characters of all time because she might be wealthy and popular, but she evades "The Curse of the Brunette" that seems to plague early 2000s leading ladies. Instead of turning into a manipulative mean girl like the high school versions of Blair Waldorf and Brooke Davis, Lyla is just kind. Does she still make insanely bad decisions (like kissing her boyfriend's best friend)? Yes, but aren't bad decisions a right of passage when you're 17?

The show's initial plots and character arcs revolve heavily around football, but the sport really just serves as a funnel for all the off-field drama. The tension between the characters makes their gameplay even more passionate — and when Street gets seriously injured during that first game of the season, the town rallies together in a way that highlights how strong a community can bond in the face of tragedy.

Image via NBC

Life in middle-class America can be tough, but it can also be really, really sweet. While I'm neither from Texas nor have attended the kind of football school Dillon High is, the contrast between the characters' responsibilities and the fun that comes with parties and joining your friends at the local burger joint resonates with me every time I rewatch.

Even the fact the show is named Friday Night Lights emphasizes that contrast because it shows just how much of a spotlight is on these kids, and how much weight is on their shoulders when they're truly just trying to survive their teenage years.

Rather than providing an escape from viewers' realities like Outer Banks does, Friday Night Lights season 1 emphasizes the realities of juggling multiple jobs, school, and family responsibility that a lot of viewers experience too. It allows you to understand the characters in a really personal way — and feel like you're a part of the community too. The world can seem so big and scary (now more than ever), which is why the simplicity of Friday Night Lights totally redefines comfort TV.

What's your standout moment from Friday Night Lights season 1? Check out why Gilmore Girls Season 7 Wasn't Supposed To Be The Final Chapter for even more TV show musings!

Lead image via NBC