# @kyleelauren on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DPt7DInjkpj
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/63397866-kyleelauren-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/08bece5a05.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-10-12T17:56:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Kylee Lauren McGrane-Zarnoch (@kyleelauren) — https://gondola.cc/kyleelauren

## Caption

The combination of a new Taylor Swift album and it being the week of my birthday has me feeling rather emotional.

But as I approach my 31st birthday, I’ve been thinking a lot about each decade and the lessons that came with them. 31 feels so funny to be because it’s the inverse of 13 — and in so many ways, it does truly feel so opposite.

At 13, I felt so unsure, so uncomfortable, so insecure, and hyperaware. As I tiptoe closer to 31, those feelings haven’t evaporated completely, but I feel more steady, more determined, more self-assured. I feel more confident to step away from what doesn’t feel right and towards that life I envisioned at 13 or 23 or this morning. 

And so often, bounding fearlessly toward that life has come with the reckless abandon of putting yourself out there, of letting the internet or whoever has decided to be the arbiter of cool that day, deem you cringe, or weird, or a try-hard, or ‘millennial’. It’s the feeling of instantly being transported back to high school and walking past the cool kids table at lunch and feeling their eyes on you, not getting the invite to the party after the football game, and spending your weekends at home with your mom and lunches in the bathroom or with your dad (just me?).

But having the bravery to get caught trying, the heart to wear on your sleeve, and passion so palpable you can’t help but let it exude from your pores will be what makes all the difference. That’s what lines the yellow brick road less traveled — even if you’re still on it.

So if I could go back and tell my 13 year old self:
- The cowboy boots you got teased for wearing to school and to prom — you met Taylor Swift in. 
- The weekends and lunch periods you spent with your family instead of at a party will bring you more comfort when you move away than you’ll ever know.
-The posters and photos of NYC you lined your wall with will give you the push to chase your dreams and you’ll call NYC home one day (13+ years and counting)
- The love you chase isn’t even close to the love you find and it’s more than you could ever dream of
- Your dreams are as limitless as the joy you bring to pursue them ✨

#cringe #taylorswiftedits #opalite

## Stats

- **Views:** 1,543
- **Likes:** 590
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 1

## Tags

taylorswiftedits, opalite, cringe

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