We hear all the time about “healthy swaps”—choosing water instead of soda, whole foods instead of processed ones. And while those swaps matter, there’s another kind of swap that’s just as powerful.
Not what we eat.
Not what we buy.
But what we allow in.
Because sometimes, the most transformative changes happen in the smallest, most ordinary moments of our day.
The Day Everything Shifted
I was standing in a long customer service line at Target.
Moms were bouncing babies in carts, trying to keep them entertained. Women who had planned to “just run a quick errand” were now glancing at their watches, calculating how much time they were losing. Everyone was stuck in a collective energy of impatience—the kind that starts as an exhale, then shifts into sighs, then turns into restless shifting and eye-rolling.
I wasn’t in a rush that day. A rarity. My usual feedback loop—kids in tow, mentally running through my to-do list—wasn’t active. And because of that, I noticed the energy shift around me instead of getting swept up in it.
How interesting that such a small moment was provoking such strong reactions.
The Automatic Habit We All Have
Normally, in a situation like this, the go-to reaction is to escape. To numb out.
And right on cue, I watched as nearly everyone around me reached for their phones at the same time.
It was fascinating. As soon as the impatience became too uncomfortable, there was an instinctive pull toward distraction—scrolling, checking emails, refreshing notifications.
And honestly? I’ve done it, too. We all have.
But that day, I wondered: What if we didn’t?
The Swap That Changed Everything
If avoiding the frustration wasn’t the answer… and numbing it out wasn’t the answer… what was?
I looked around, searching for an alternative. My eyes landed on the display of brightly colored candies.
On the bottom shelf sat a pack of Ice Breakers mints.
And just like that, I was 14 again. Braces on my teeth, a slicked-back bun for soccer practice after school. I could feel the memory—how my friends and I would trade flavors in class, how we always knew exactly who had which mints in case of an emergency (like needing extra-fresh breath to talk to a crush).
I smiled. And then I followed the curiosity.
The Skittles made me think of ski trips with my dad and sister. He always had a bag of them, ready to pour straight into our mouths on the chairlift so we wouldn’t have to take our gloves off.
The Sour Patch Watermelons reminded me of sleepovers with my best friends.
The Snickers bar brought back soccer tryouts, tucked inside my backpack for energy between drills.
And just like that, the line moved forward.
I greeted the Target employee with genuine warmth and complimented her tie-dye take on the classic red uniform. She smiled back, thanking me for my patience—something she hadn’t been getting from the customers before me.
Not Every Swap is About What You Eat—Some Are About What You Choose to Feel
In that moment, I realized something: we are constantly making choices about our emotional state.
🔹 We can choose frustration—or we can choose curiosity.
🔹 We can choose to numb out—or we can choose to tune in.
🔹 We can choose to let impatience take over—or we can choose to find joy in the unexpected.
Because the truth is, the smallest shifts in perspective can create the biggest transformations.
Try This: A Simple Shift to Elevate Your Day
The next time you find yourself stuck—whether in traffic, waiting in line, or on hold for the second hour—pause.
Instead of reaching for your phone, try this:
✅ Look around. Notice the details. The colors, the sounds, the people.
✅ Find a spark. A memory, a curiosity, something that makes you smile.
✅ Let it shift you. Feel the difference in your energy, your mood, and the way you show up.
These micro-moments matter. They shape our days, our experiences, and ultimately, our lives.
So, what small shift will you make today?
You're doing such a great job and you deserve freedom from your stress responses.
❤️Lex