Cruel Summer Beach Bonfire: A Day That Reminded Me Why Community Matters 🌊✨
I’m still sitting here trying to process yesterday because my heart feels so full.
Our Cruel Summer Beach Meet Up was one of those days that felt bigger than an event. It was one of those moments where you look around and realize something you dreamed about is actually happening right in front of you.
Before anyone arrived, Milan and I got to the beach at 5 AM to save our pit and started setting everything up. We brought all the things we needed, created our little bonfire space, and slowly watched an empty spot on the beach transform into a place where memories would soon happen.
One of my favorite parts was seeing some of our committee members arrive early to help us set up. Watching people volunteer their time, bring their energy, and care about making this day special reminded me that SoCal Swifties Club has never just been something I created.
It’s something we’re all building together.
As everyone began arriving, there was this beautiful feeling of excitement. Some people came with friends, some came meeting others for the first time, but everyone came with the same intention: to celebrate something that has brought so much joy into our lives.
And that’s what I love about this community.
Taylor’s music might be what brought us into the same space, but the people are what make it special.
Throughout the day, I found myself noticing all the little moments happening around me. People sitting together and talking like they had known each other for years.
Someone laughing because they found another person who understood their favorite Taylor lyric. People opening up and sharing pieces of themselves during our sound bath and manifestation session. Those quiet moments reminded me that connection doesn’t always have to be something big and dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply finding people who make you feel comfortable enough to be yourself.
Of course, we had all the fun Swiftie moments too.
We celebrated two of our core community members’ birthdays and got to sing “August” by Taylor Swift to them, which felt like the most fitting way to celebrate August birthdays. 😂
As the sunset arrived, I led a mini sound bath along with a manifestation session with Lucille. It was so beautiful seeing a few of our members showing up for theirselves and allowing theirselves to relax, be in the moment and open up about some things they've been struggling with or dreams they've been manifesting.
Later in the evening, Talar brought out the guitar and we ended up having karaoke. Hearing everyone sing Taylor songs together, laughing, and fully embracing the moment felt like our own little concert under the stars.
Then there were the simple moments I’ll remember forever — sitting around the bonfire, making s’mores, watching conversations happen, and seeing Coco become everyone’s favorite little Swiftie pup. 🐶✨
But the thing that stayed with me the most was the feeling of the night.
The feeling that people were comfortable.
The feeling that people belonged.
The feeling that a community built around songs could become a place where people find friendship, support, and a little bit of magic.
I will always be grateful to Taylor Swift for creating music that has helped so many of us through different seasons of life. Her songs have given us comfort, helped us heal, and reminded us that we aren’t alone.
And somehow, those songs brought us here.
If you’ve been wanting to come to one of our meetups but you’re nervous because you don’t know anyone, I hope you know that so many people started exactly where you are.
You don’t have to come with a group.
You don’t have to already have friends here.
You just have to show up.
Because sometimes the places we’re most nervous to walk into become the places where we find the people we were looking for all along.
Thank you to everyone who made Cruel Summer so unforgettable.
I can’t wait to see what memories we create next. 🤍🌊
XO,
Joy
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