The Swift Side of Me
#005
The Swift Side to My Story: Turning Pain into Passion
I think it’s about time I share my origin story—how Sugar & Dice Design Co. and The Swift Side of Me came to be.
It all began with a car accident in December 2023 that turned my life upside down. Prior to the accident, I was a healthcare professional working at an academic hospital, treating cancer patients. In fact, my entire nursing career has been oncology-focused; and while incredibly rewarding, it is fair to say that my career has been emotionally taxing over the years.
Leading up to the accident, I was going full tilt. My life was a constant cycle of commuting to a fast-paced job, often putting in long days, getting home after dark only to make dinner and head straight to bed. I was living for the weekends, constantly feeling like I was on a hamster wheel. My hobbies and passions took a backseat, and when I tried to prioritize them, I failed miserably. I lost the connection to my creative self, the one that wanted to make art, express ideas, and create space for other women to feel seen.
The first of December was a Friday, and it had been raining, making the roads slick that evening. I was headed home after another exhausting week, and as I approached a bend in the road my back tires spun out. It felt like I was suspended in time—like I was watching everything happen from outside my own body. My car crashed into the highway’s concrete meridian and the airbags deployed. I took a hit to the head, and the rest of the impact slammed into my chest.
I remember managing to steer my car off the highway. By some miracle, no other cars were involved; however, a man in his early twenties had stopped to help, called 911, and made sure I was safe and kept me company until emergency personnel arrived. Though I was in shock, I remember his kindness which speaks volumes—someone I’ll always be grateful for, even if I can’t recall his name.
Hospital tests revealed whiplash and a mild concussion. No broken bones, no cuts or scrapes—so I got off easy, all things considered. But what I didn’t know then is that I had a severe grade III-IV whiplash, and I would still be living with chronic pain over a year later. People who have experienced trauma often look for the silver linings, and I will say that the accident was a major turning point. It led me to a deep reflection on the life I was living, one that had pushed my creativity and desire for connection to the side.
How a Car Crash Turned into a Creative Renaissance
Now, you might be wondering what this all has to do with Taylor Swift. Well, before the accident, I had purchased a ticket to attend The Eras Tour in Stockholm, Sweden, in May 2024. And following the accident, I wasn’t sure if I’d even be able to make the trip. But as the months passed, The Eras Tour became my light at the end of the tunnel—it was the one thing I was working toward, a goal that kept me going even on my darkest days. It was something I needed to focus on, something to remind me that life could still hold joy and possibility.
For six and a half months, my healthcare routine became my full-time job. Physiotherapy, kinesiology, massage, chiropractic adjustments, and nerve block injections twice a week became my new normal. There were highs and lows, but my healthcare team was determined to help me get to Stockholm. Even though my pain wasn’t perfect by May, we had a strategy in place to deal with the best- and worst-case scenarios.
The journey wasn’t easy, but I’m happy to say I did make it to Stockholm! It was more than just a concert—it was the reset I needed. For the first time in a long time, I felt like myself again, even though my body still had its limitations. The trip was a celebration of life and creativity, and it sparked something in me.
The Magic of Being a Swiftie ✨
With my heart full of new experiences, friendships and a renewed sense of self, I left Stockholm to embark on my solo trip to Italy. The funny thing about solo travel is that you meet so many new people along the way. If I had been traveling with friends or a partner, I wouldn’t have had the same kind of open, unguarded conversations with so many walks of life. This was a journey that opened my heart in unexpected ways.
Taylor and her concert followed me everywhere I went—whether someone noticed the friendship bracelet I was wearing, asked about my Eras Tour t-shirt, or inquired about the large cardboard tube (safeguarding my concert poster) that I carried with me everywhere. These became conversation starters, even for people who weren’t Swifties. I made some amazing connections with individuals from all around the world, and it made me realize something powerful: the magic of Taylor Swift’s music isn’t just in the songs—it’s in the connections she fosters between people, especially women—and that became a major catalyst for my desire to create Sugar & Dice Design Co.
The idea for The Swift Side of Me didn’t occur to me until several months after my time in Stockholm. Near the end of my trip, I experienced a major pain crisis, and it threw me off balance, emotionally and physically. The past few months have been an all-time low for my mental health—I felt like I was hitting a wall, unable to move forward. I had been battling chronic pain, and the constant cycle of appointments and treatments drained me. That’s when I felt the pull to create—to use my down time to focus on something meaningful…which led me to my creative era.
Though I’ve always identified as a creative person, I never imagined I would consider myself an artist, let alone try to turn my art into something that could connect with others. It took a breakdown to finally break through. In just four months, I’ve produced more creative work than I have in years. I built my own website. I launched my blog. I learned that it’s okay to step into the unknown, to put myself out there, and to share my story with the world.
Perhaps what is most exciting for me is that I truly feel like this is just the beginning. I have a BIG vision for Sugar & Dice Design Co. and this blog, but we are going to take this one step at a time–good things take time. I am counting on all of you to spread the word–share a link with your fellow Swifties; share my social media posts in your stories; or consider subscribing to our newsletter!
Speak Now: It's your turn to share your thoughts!
Do you have a story of reinvention or overcoming hardship? I’d love to hear your own stories—how has creativity helped you through tough times? Or maybe you’ve faced your own journey of reinvention. Let’s continue the conversation! Drop a comment below or connect with me on social media.
XO,
Inspired by Taylor, Creating with Love
The Swift Side of Me, a Swiftie’s blog brought to you by:
sugar & dice design co.
