With Fearless (Taylor’s Version) celebrating its fourth anniversary yesterday, I’ve found myself reflecting on the album’s themes that have always made this era so special. More than any other album, Fearless captures the essence of young love — the fairytales we grow up believing in, the dream of Prince Charming, and the ever-elusive “happily ever after.” But what makes this album powerful is that it doesn’t stop there. It also speaks to what happens when those dreams unravel. 

Take White Horse, for example — a song still wrapped in fairytale language, but the storyline shifts. The knight in shining armor doesn’t come through—it’s the “too little, too late” narrative. The happily ever after becomes a quiet heartbreak. It’s the realization that love, while beautiful, can also be complicated, and sometimes painful. 

So, it got me thinking: when we call someone “fearless” in love, does that mean they don’t fear being hurt? For the first time I was questioning the album’s title choice. On one hand, fearless has an empowering quality, but is someone truly fearless when it comes to matters of the heart? 

Speaking from experience, I’ve definitely felt fear in the early stages of dating — the excitement mixed with anxiety, the second-guessing, the constant worry of being too much or not enough. You want it to work so badly that you find yourself walking on eggshells, afraid of messing it up. Love can be simple, yes, but I think many of us would agree that most romantic connections end long before they become forever. 

So how does anyone pursue love without fear? 

Maybe being “fearless” doesn’t mean having no fear. Perhaps instead it means you experience feelings of fear, but that doesn’t stop you. You know heartbreak is a possibility, but it’s not enough to stop you from pursuing it altogether. You still believe in the magic—even if it’s a little weathered by experience.  

As I contemplated this more and more, this idea of having a “fearless mindset” started to grow on me and sink in. The idea of looking fear in the eye and saying, “So what?” feels liberating. It reminds me of the “let them” mindset—letting people do what they do, letting fear exist, but refusing to let it control you. Whether you’re falling in love, moving to a new city, having a baby, or chasing a dream, there’s always a risk. But with a fearless mindset comes the belief that no matter what happens, you’ll survive it—and maybe even grow from it. 

Since my car accident, I’ve had some really low moments. And keeping it real, there were days when even the idea of staying positive felt like too much. I’ve learned to honor those feelings instead of pushing them aside—to sit with my hard days, cry if I need to, and not apologize for it. But it’s a fine balance–honoring the hard moments and still choosing to keep moving forward. 

There’s a lot of uncertainty in my life at the moment, and the “what ifs” can feel endless. But yesterday, during a therapy session, I had one of those ah-ha breakthrough moments. I realized I couldn’t keep spinning in circles trying to predict every possible outcome. I needed to act based on what I do know, not what I fear might happen. 

I’m still scared. I still feel anxious. But I’ve decided that it will no longer stop me from creating a plan and taking that next step. Sitting in limbo, not taking action can exacerbate the anxiety and fear. I can only react to the “what ifs” and “worst case scenarios” once they are real and faced in front of me. So, in many ways you are better off coming up with a plan and giving it a try knowing the good that lies ahead won’t be yours without taking the first step. And if you come upon a hurdle, you tackle it, one hurdle at a time. 

Because maybe being fearless isn’t about being unshakable — it’s about your willingness to jump and risk the fall, knowing you can rise again. 

So, take my hand and let’s go head first, fearless!

Inspired by Taylor, Creating With Love