Taylor Swift released her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” with a surprise twist of being a double album with 31 tracks that touch on themes of relationship trauma and mental health. In the song “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,” Swift describes the struggle of performing on her record-breaking tour while experiencing personal misery from a breakup with her longtime boyfriend. Despite the facade of being put-together and successful, she hints at a harder fallout from her relationship that is not portrayed publicly.
While many might not understand the pressures of performing on a world tour while dealing with a breakup, the concept of throwing oneself into work as a coping mechanism is relatable. Productive distractions, such as focusing on work or projects, can provide a sense of control, agency, and competency during tough times. Accomplishing things at work can boost self-esteem and balance feelings of loss from other areas of life, helping individuals navigate emotionally turbulent times.
Swift’s job already requires her to process her emotions, and writing lyrics can be a form of journaling that aids in emotional processing. Additionally, the positive responses and support from fans at her live concerts provide a sense of love and support that may be lacking in her personal life. While throwing oneself into work can be helpful as a distraction and source of accomplishment, there are potential downsides such as burnout and avoidance of facing difficult emotions and processing the breakup fully.
Engaging too heavily in work as a coping mechanism can lead to exhaustion and potentially prolong the process of acknowledging and accepting the breakup and its associated emotions. Being kind to oneself and allowing space for self-care and reflection amidst work obligations is crucial. Ultimately, it’s important to have a balanced approach to coping with heartbreak, ensuring that there is room for genuine emotional processing and support from loved ones outside of work. The song “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” aims to convey the message that it’s okay to be messy and vulnerable, and one should not feel pressured to always appear tough or resilient.
