You need a hobby that brings you joy; it doesn’t have to be meaningful to anyone but you.

Dear Leader: You need a hobby that brings you joy; it doesn’t have to be meaningful to anyone but you.

Settle in for a second my friend because I’ve got an internet story about haters and trolls for ya! ☕️ 😜

Nothing brings the internet trolls out quite like the Swifties. (That’s the fandom name for Taylor Swift fans, in case you didn’t know.) And something you need to know about us at RAYMA Team is this: We. Are. Swifties.

I started a threads account and decided months ago that this was going to be where my unhinged Swiftie self lived on the internet. In fact, here’s what my profile says:

See. Clearly spelled out. Anyway, here’s what happened…

I’ve found an immense amount of joy this year watching the Eras Tour through grainy live feeds on my phone or computer. I’ve giggled and gasped in shock as the audiences scream at the surprises that Taylor has brought us. I stayed up late watching the last US show of 2023 because all the Swifties clowned that it would be the night she announced the 1989 Taylor’s Version re-record. And when she came out in a blue dress for the Speak Now era, we knew we were right! 🤡

Anyway. On night three of the first set of London shows, something unthinkable happened. Travis Kelce showed up ON STAGE WITH HER! 😱 (Yes, THAT Travis Kelce. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, and her boyfriend.) It was mass chaos in the best way possible! The Swifties have been addicted to every angle we can find of photos and videos and theories as to what it all means and the symbolism displayed in the clothing. Naturally, I joined the conversations and started one of my own:



129 people commented and it has been a funny thing to dive into in my free time! But then came THIS comment:



I started writing this reply:

“You’re cute. I actually have a very meaningful business and day job and clowning with fellow Swifties is something I do for fun. You should try it sometime!”

But then I realized I didn’t need the drama. So, I deleted my comment and chose to ignore it.

However, the experience stuck with me.

Not because I was upset or hurt or irritated by the comment. No, my skin is much thicker than it was a decade ago when it comes to internet comments. It stuck with me because I realized that us leaders need a healthy outlet. If everything we do has to be attached to being “meaningful,” then we never truly get a chance to relax and recharge.

And this is why burnout happens. So here comes my mini pep talk for the week…

Dear Leader: You need a hobby that brings you joy; it doesn’t have to be meaningful to anyone but you.

Make sure to give yourself permission to do the joyful things this week. No meaning necessary.

And remember: Don’t engage with the trolls. 😉

~Coach Mandy 🖤

P.S. I promise to not judge the things that you find joyful; now excuse me because there’s a grainy live feed of the Eras Tour that I need to get ready for in my Swift Alert app Mastermind game. Think fantasy football only Eras Tour. 😉

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