We weren’t lifelong Swifties. In fact, we didn’t fully understand the hype. Sure, Taylor Swift had some catchy songs, but we never imagined much her music would influence our business and spark joy in our lives.
But in 2024, that changed.
This is a story about how a spontaneous decision to attend the Eras Tour turned into something so much bigger: a creative outlet, a connection to our community, and a wellness strategy we didn’t know we needed. Here’s how Taylor Swift led us to create forensic gifts that resonated with a community we hadn’t fully tapped into before.
The Eras Tour: A Mini-Adventure Turned Mental Reset
At the beginning of 2024, we committed to following Jesse Itzler’s “Big Ass Calendar” system—a life-planning method that encourages scheduling six intentional “mini adventures” throughout the year. The idea is simple but powerful: don’t just make time for work—make time for joy, too.
Around that same time, our social feeds exploded with clips from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. The sets. The costumes. The energy. It was electric. And honestly? It looked like fun. Fun isn’t something we always prioritize in the fast-paced world of forensics, but this felt like the perfect opportunity to change that. So, we booked tickets for the Miami stop in October 2024—and made it one of our six mini adventures for the year.
Here’s what else made the list:
- A company retreat on a Royal Caribbean Cruise.
- A visit to The June Motel in Canada, inspired by the Netflix show Motel Makeover.
- A color analysis experience in Oklahoma City
- And of course, the Eras Tour
These weren’t just vacations. They became strategic mental resets—moments designed to recharge, inspire, and help us show up better at work and in life. Because we believe joy is just as essential to schedule as department meetings and deadlines.
Hooked on the Hype: Becoming Swifties Overnight
As the concert date approached, the hype around Taylor Swift only grew. And we couldn’t help ourselves—we dove into her discography.
Somewhere along the line, things clicked.
We started to see the intricacy of her lyrics, the emotional storytelling, the way her relationships and personal growth were woven into every album. And don’t get us started on the Easter eggs. Taylor is intentional in everything she does. That hooked us.
Her creative process became something we admired and studied—and it totally inspired our own.
Insomnia + Inspiration: The Birth of Our Taylor Swift Designs
In true forensic fashion, our brains don’t always shut off. During some late nights of insomnia, Ashley started designing some just-for-fun graphics that merged Taylor Swift lyrics with forensic humor.
At first, it was just a playful outlet. But when we started previewing the designs on social media, we were shocked by how many people in our community loved them.
Turns out? There are a lot of Swifties in the forensic world.
So we started creating merch. Slowly, intentionally, and with a focus on what made people smile. One of the biggest surprises? People kept buying them as gifts. And they weren’t just buying one—they were buying in batches.
Here are some of our best-selling and most beloved pieces:
💥 Most Popular Taylor Swift Designs:
- “I’m on my vigilante shit again” tumbler (a fan favorite!)
- “Lying on the cold hard ground” mouse pad + tee
- “The Tortured Forensics Department” hoodie
- “All’s Fair in Love & Science” crewneck sweatshirt
🛒 Shop the collection of forensic gifts
These designs weren’t just fun. They became conversation starters, gifts for forensic lovers, and tiny reminders that it’s okay to find joy in the overlap between work and play.
The Aesthetic That Sparked a Challenge Coin
When The Tortured Poets Department dropped, the aesthetic was everything. Moody. Literary. Beautiful.
That vibe inspired our first ever Gap Science challenge coin. We didn’t want to create a typical forensic coin—covered in bright yellow crime scene tape, bold bloodstains, and all the usual clichés. Instead, we aimed to merge forensic symbolism with beautiful, subtle design. Something poetic. Something people would want to display or carry, even if they weren’t in forensics.
We’ve blogged about the design process, and we’ve shared photos of handing them out at conferences. The response? Incredible. People lit up when they received one. It wasn’t just a coin—it was a symbol of connection, creativity, and belonging.
The Concert That Changed Everything
By the time the The Eras Tour Miami show arrived, we were full-on Swifties. But we had no idea just how special the night would be.
We didn’t sit down once. We danced, we screamed, we laughed, and halfway through, the rain started. Luckily, our seats were under an overhang, so we got all the drama of a rain show without getting soaked.
One of the biggest moments? Experiencing the live debut of Taylor’s black and gold bodysuit for the Reputation era (iykyk).
We lost our minds.
Ashley was convinced it meant she was finally announcing Reputation (Taylor’s Version). (Spoiler: she didn’t. But we’re still hopeful.)
We also got to witness the Tortured Poets Department set live—something we hadn’t even expected when we bought our tickets.
That night? Pure magic. A total emotional release. And such an unexpected but powerful reminder of how much we need joy and play.
What This Journey Taught Us About Mental Health
This wasn’t just a fandom phase or a quirky side project. It was something deeper.
In the world of forensics, you carry a lot. The work is demanding. The emotional toll is real. It’s easy to deprioritize fun or think you don’t have time for creativity.
But here’s what we learned:
5 Mental Health Lessons from Taylor Swift (and the Big Ass Calendar)
- Joy needs to be scheduled. If you don’t carve out space for it, it won’t happen.
- Creativity is healing. Even silly designs can be a way to express, release, and connect.
- Community matters. Sharing our Swiftie merch showed us how many forensic professionals craved the same kind of lightness.
- Mini-adventures are fuel. Whether it’s a concert, a cruise, or a color consult—it recharges you.
- Fun makes you better at your job. Seriously. When you’re happy and energized, you lead better, think clearer, and work smarter.
Want to Join the Fun?
If you’re looking for gifts for forensic lovers, we’ve got you. Whether you want to treat yourself or surprise a Swiftie in your squad, our store is filled with Taylor Swift designs made just for forensic professionals.
🛒 Shop the collection of forensic gifts
And if you ever want to create your own Big Ass Calendar? We’ll cheer you on. Just make sure one of your mini adventures includes music, magic, and maybe a little glitter.
Final Thoughts
We never expected Taylor Swift to have such an impact on our lives and business. But she did. Her music inspired creativity. Her fan culture reminded us to have fun. And the Eras Tour gave us a joyful memory that fueled us for months.
If you’re feeling burned out or stuck, try scheduling something unexpected. A concert. A creative project. A new playlist. It might change everything.
Because mental wellness isn’t just about stress relief—it’s about joy, too. And sometimes, joy wears a sparkly bodysuit and sings 45 songs in one night.
