Guest Contributor – Julianne Griffin
Recovery can feel lonely—like you’re stuck in the in-between, wanting connection but never quite finding where you belong. Maybe you’ve tried recovery spaces that didn’t feel right. Maybe people didn’t understand your path, or worse, they judged it. Maybe you’ve wondered if you’ll ever find a community where you don’t have to explain yourself—where you can just be you.
That’s exactly why I created Swift Steps—a recovery community for people who have felt out of place in traditional spaces, who have struggled to fit in, who have been told their love for Taylor Swift is silly or unimportant.
Here, it’s the opposite. Here, your story matters. Your recovery matters. And so does the music that’s helped you survive.
What Is Swift Steps?
Swift Steps is an inclusive, judgment-free recovery community designed for Swifties navigating addiction, mental health struggles, or major life transitions. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—abstinence isn’t required, and harm reduction is welcome. We meet people where they are, honoring all paths to healing.
What makes us different? We use Taylor Swift’s music as a tool for recovery.
Spinning the Wheel: A New Song Each Week
Every week, we spin a wheel to reveal the next Taylor Swift song we’ll explore together. No one knows what’s coming next—just like recovery. Once the song is chosen, we sit with it, reflect on it, and process it through the lens of mental health, addiction, healing, and personal growth.
Taylor’s lyrics aren’t just catchy—they hold deep emotional truths about heartbreak, self-discovery, resilience, and rebuilding after loss. Whether it’s the desperate longing in You’re Losing Me or the quiet strength of You’re On Your Own, Kid, her songs put words to the emotions we struggle to explain.
Surprise Song Session: “I Almost Do”
Take I Almost Do from Red. This song isn’t just about a lost love—it’s about the internal war between past and progress. The pull of old habits, toxic relationships, and the comfort of the familiar—even when you know it’s not good for you.
“I just wanna tell you, it takes everything in me not to call you.”
This line hits home for anyone in recovery. Whether it’s reaching for a drink, texting someone toxic, or slipping back into old patterns, not giving in takes everything. People don’t talk enough about how much strength that simple “no” requires.
“And I hope you know that every time I don’t, I almost do.”
This is where the power is. Recovery isn’t about never feeling tempted—it’s about feeling the pull and choosing yourself anyway. The strength isn’t in never struggling; it’s in every almost that doesn’t turn into did.
“I can’t say ‘hello’ to you and risk another goodbye.”
Boundaries are essential in recovery. Addiction, toxic relationships—they don’t let go easily. Sometimes, silence isn’t about ignoring the past—it’s about protecting your future.
A Place Where You Belong
Maybe you’ve been searching for a recovery space where you don’t have to pretend. Maybe you’ve felt like no one gets how much Taylor Swift’s music has meant to you—how it’s been there when no one else was.
At Swift Steps, we get it.
This is a space for people who have been told they’re “too much,” “too emotional,” “too sensitive.” A space for people who feel everything deeply and refuse to apologize for it. A space where your love for Taylor Swift isn’t just understood—it’s a part of your healing.
Join Us on the Journey
Recovery is full of almosts. Almost calling. Almost relapsing. Almost falling back into old ways. But every almost is a victory—proof that you’re stronger than the thing trying to pull you back.
If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. Join us at our next Swift Steps meeting, where we explore these emotional battles through music, journaling, and community support. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens together. And we’ve got you.
Learn more at Swift Steps.
https://bsr.mykajabi.com/SwiftStepsMembership
Julianne Griffin is the founder of Swift Steps, a recovery community built on connection, compassion, and support.
Growing up in a home affected by addiction, mental health struggles, and domestic abuse, Julianne learned resilience at an early age. She took on the role of caregiver for her younger siblings while navigating the chaos of her parents’ addiction. Despite her efforts to break free from that legacy, addiction found its way into her life in many forms—food, shopping, relationships, and substances.
Her path to recovery wasn’t a straight line. She faced relapses, relied on maintenance medications, and explored harm reduction strategies and outpatient programs. Traditional treatment didn’t resonate with her, but she discovered that real healing came through genuine human connection. By surrounding herself with people who truly understood her struggles, she was able to let go of shame and grow beyond her challenges.
Now, through Swift Steps, Julianne is dedicated to fostering a recovery community where people can find the support, understanding, and connection they need.
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