Second Year & "Potential Space"

Happy Sunday folks. Hope you all are keeping cool. I got off work this morning and it was already 80 degrees! Whew!

My days as a second year resident are numbered. The past few weeks have been pleasantly reflective and introspective for me. It doesn't help that the SICU life has me all in my emotions (in addition to the old school Aretha and Carole King blasting through my house right now).

But on a happier note, I think one of the biggest accomplishments of second year was not only learning SO MUCH and feeling more like I was not only effective and thriving at work, but also making it work for us at home. Work-life "balance" is unrealistic, but work-life INTEGRATION sure is something to shoot for...

A wise mama-doc that I work with is my role model when it comes to having her life in order and getting stuff done. I remember during intern year when I asked her how she managed to not only be a mom to a new baby, be a kick butt doctor, but also simultaneously bring baked goods to rounds, she shrugged and said, "time is a potential space". Meanwhile, I was just trying to make sure I kept my life afloat...

I loved the idea that time is what we make of it, and it has stuck with me throughout my whole second year of residency. I would like to think that I have stepped my game up over this past year (for us, residents, the "new year" starts in July) by taking that to heart - both in my personal and professional life...

I drive and listen to educational/journal lectures. 

I exercise and read, or catch up on emails, or current events, etc. 

I have cut back on social media browsing and used the time to blog, write, reflect, do something to add value to me and my life.

I go to work and find unique ways to let my babies know I am thinking of them and loving them. 

I savor and make the most of my post-call days when it came to my personal health (dentist, hair appointments, nails - haha don't judge me)

Right now, I may or may not be cooking spaghetti and blogging at the time :-) I can't remember the last time I actually cooked dinner, but that's besides the point... #WomenWithHusbandsWhoCook #Blessed

I think multitasking goes beyond work hours. Very few of us hold only one or two roles in life, and whether it's two roles or ten, we want to do them well and feel like we are being effective.

I took my last 24 hour call as a second year yesterday :fist pump:

I remember when I was just halfway done with medical school and now I am halfway done with residency. Time waits for no one, ya'll so make sure you spend it doing something you want to do...

Have a good night! Time for some spaghetti :-D

And this concludes my last 24hr call of 2nd year ✌#residencymilestones

A photo posted by Jasmine (@mrsmommymd) on Jun 12, 2016 at 5:28am PDT

Multi-Tasking or Multiple Personality Disorder?

There's a fine line.

I think that when I am doing too many things at once, I get to the point where none (or at least the majority) of what I am doing gets done well. AND I have crossed the border into multiple personality territory - not knowing what I did 10 minutes ago like some other person is doing things for me too; i.e. Jasmine doing tasks 1-4, Janine doing task 5-8, Jaqueshia doing tasks 8-10, you get my point...

This is definitely one of those times.

I couldn't even remember if I took my sinus medicine this morning - mind you, I had 5 minutes earlier. The past few weeks have been HARD to say the least. In fact, this week while I've been sick was probably the most difficult week during med school yet. All my body wanted me to do was crash, but I had to push on so I could take my ICM quiz and get ready for this weekend's Neuro exam (which I am still trying to scramble to do).

At first I was 100% school school school, but then I immediately felt mediocre in the wife, mother, and personal well-being department. It's almost impossible for me to slack on mommy duties because you can't expect a 2 year old to understand why you can't tuck him in, watch Dino Dan with him, or anything else he pleadingly asks... The Hubs has taken over most of the Natey duties (school pick up, dinner, bath time) except for the morning routine of getting him to school (he even gets him dressed sometimes which helps me tremendously). It sucks to admit, but by default the Hubby always is the one who receives the most neglect... Oh and my diet and workout routine was non-existent...WOMP.

So then I tried to go all out at home, and well, let me just say there never was a moment when I felt like I was on top of everything at school. Even my classmates with no family life like mine feel the same way. Last year was child's play compared to this in my opinion. This is definitely more like "the year of the fire hydrant" to me... There is just so much information coming at you all at once, and all you have is this paper cup to try and catch it all...Yikes. Having one of those moments were I feel like I am losing...:sigh:

Photo Credit

I knew from day one this was going to be difficult. Last year, everything seemed to just come together for me, but now I feel like every day I am walking in unchartered territory. Even though I am not the first woman to take on so much responsibility it does feel that way right now. I'm just going to pray for the strength I need and have faith that God will carry me (and my Nates through this). If I learned anything this summer, it's how to exercise my faith.