Today is Friday, December 13th. This day is noteworthy not only for its spooky significance but also because on this day 35 years ago, Taylor Alison Swift was born. So, in honor of Taylor Swift turning 35 today, here are 5 things she popularized that revolutionized not only the music industry but pop culture as a whole. 

Some hate her, love her, or fall somewhere in between, but Swift and her artistry is something worth knowing.

Unbeknownst to fans at the time, Swift nods to her now-hit song “You’re On Your Own, Kid.” She says, “The scary news is, you’re on your own now. But the cool news is, you’re on your own now.” And as I turn the corner, about to run to my next destination in the path of life, I feel this sentiment more than ever.

“ME!” makes you dance and sing, only if you allow yourself to face the music. 

Swift has been deemed “mother” to “daughters” Carpenter and Gracie Abrams. Both openers for the Eras Tour, the fame of Carpenter and Abrams has skyrocketed since then – both by their own merit, but Swift’s influence is likely a great factor.

The Eras Tour has spanned over a year thus far and has been full of jaw-dropping, eye-popping surprises. From new outfits, music video announcements, to completely new eras and more, Swift knows how to put on a show.

From donating to fans in need, to supporting cancer research and pandemic relief, Swift continues to create invisible strings beyond her music.

Aside from the obvious Tayvis costumes that will surely fill our Instagram feeds, here are 5 unique and affordable Taylor Swift-inspired Halloween costumes.

Aside from Swift herself, her albums carry qualities and personality traits that align with a few other fictional characters who many of us know all too well.

Swift’s fashion stays true to her, as does her mission as a musician. Swift is unapologetically herself, and her fashion is unapologetically her.

Swift proves to be a powerful, voiceful woman with opinions that matter – she knows it and we know it. Unfortunately, Donald Trump, one of the smallest men who will ever live, will never know it.

Scala teaches the complexities of Swift’s work in hopes that her students can create their own thoughts and complexities about the intertwining of historical literary arts and current popular music. And on account of Scala, her students do just that – “They want to do more than I assign them…They’re open to volunteering…it’s very luxurious,” she says.

Aside from Easter eggs, Swift’s release of the “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” (music) video gave us a personal insight into Swift’s love, life, and liberty as an artist, performer, and person. She’s more than the sparkles. But she’s also more than the love she lost.

“closure” compacts an experience that can go on for days, weeks, months, years, decades, I bet you even centuries, into 3 minutes and 1 second — saying goodbye without saying why.

Photo by Beth Garrabrant

The misogyny towards girls, women, even women like Taylor Swift, matters. The presence of hatred in your mind, your everyday dialogue, what we teach our children, matters.

Photo by James Speakman/AP

Whether it’s a reason to chase dreams, grow up, stay young, make friends, or anything in between, Taylor Swift and her fans know that through each other, there’s always something to give, and something to gain.

Photo by Niedermueller Photography / Getty Images / TAS Rights Management

Each of Swift’s albums carries a myriad of concepts and conversations that represent different eras of life, love, and liberty. She’s there for us through it all.

The older I get the more I see these perceptions almost immediately. The assumptions laid upon me before I’ve even uttered a word. The limitations are being placed instantaneously, and I too am sick of it. I want to be complex. I want the world to acknowledge as many facets of me as they can, or at least try to…

Swift’s art shows us she’s had too many physical instances with devils and angels, she has no room to believe in the ones we can’t see.

Photo by Beth Garrabrant

“The Archer” reveals to listeners what feels like Swift’s diary — a showcase of her most naked, soul-bearing, tortured thoughts and woeful, wide-eyed wonders that feel all too similar to your own.

Photo by Abby McMorris