It’s that time of year when resolutions are omnipresent. We make lists of things we’re going to do or things that we’re going to stop doing. We air our dirty laundry about our imperfections and we swear that we’re going to run every day or lose those 20 pounds or get rid of our consumer debt- all admirable things, but all also ambitious things that you really have to be in a certain mental and physical space to make happen; I’m particularly attuned to that after cleaning up my financial self and losing 30-ish pounds last year.
The net result of resolutions is that we feel bad about ourselves in order to make them, and we feel bad about ourselves when we fail to keep them. Yes, I’m one of those people who considers resolutions a set-up for failure and as a way that we reinforce those qualities we like least in ourselves.
I’m not against personal growth, and I definitely support trying to be the best version of ourselves. What I’ve found more vital for me has been to spend a few minutes at year’s end reflecting on what’s been amazing and wonderful, what could have been more amazing and wonderful, and how I want to move those concepts into my next year. In short, it’s time to take stock of where I’ve been and where I want to be next.
So, looking at 2013, what was amazing and wonderful?
- Watching a mentee- who I mentored through her entire residency- finish her fellowship and get her first “big girl” job as a faculty surgeon. Helping her with that transition. Sending her all of my shoes when I gave up heels.
- Travel to new places: Puerto Rico in January was blissful for many reasons. Finland in August was a rich immersion in a completely different culture. I now want a sauna house and a lake out back of my house!
- Graduation of our first class of medical students who came through the “new” curriculum. They seem to be thriving
in spite ofbecause of our innovations. - Walking in two Komen 3-Day events (Chicago and rainy, rainy DC) surrounded by dear friends.
- Having a double-digit peer-reviewed publication year (in spite of my 50% education FTE!).
- Making a little cross-country road trip with my Mom in September from Alabama to Utah, all in the name of rescuing a Siberian Husky. She was worth every single mile.
- Being part of the AAMC Women’s Mid-Career Professional Development Course. I learned quite a bit about myself and about leadership. Most importantly, I made some amazing new connections who I’m looking forward to a future with in academic medicine.
What was less amazing and wonderful this year?
- Salt Lake’s wintertime air quality. I’ve gone to referring to it as the “glop.” It’s disgusting.
- My role as a “track director” for our 4th year students. My track is basically surgical potpourri and I don’t get a ton of help from the subspecialists. I also struggle with how to prepare neurosurgeons and orthopedists for internship since I am neither of those things.
- Losing my beloved Kita-dog to her old age, arthritis, and kidneys in August. My heart broke wide open.
- Having weeks when I was convinced that my primary purpose at work was to be a palliative care physician. Don’t get me wrong- I really respect what our palliative care colleagues do, and as someone who works in the ICU I know it’s part of the job. There are just those times that it becomes emotionally draining, and I had a couple of runs like that this year.
- My constant efforts to put 10 pounds of sugar into a 5 pound sack. Or to get 32 hours of work into a 24 hour day. Regardless, my constant efforts to achieve that which isn’t
completely reasonablerealistic. The biggest manifestation of this is my near-constant wish to be more generous with my time for my friends.
What’s next?
- 2014 travel adventures: Rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon in June. A Komen 3-Day in Twin Cities in August, including a birthday celebration for one of my beloved friends. Maybe, possibly Australia in October? We’ll see.
- Refine the surgery clerkship that I completely burnt down in 2012. It’s not perfect (yet) but it’s getting better all of the time.
- Connection. Details to be established, but for me I do know it’s both personal and professional.
- Capitalize on my knowledge and experiences from the Mid-WIMS course so that it works for me and those around me.
- Regularly take time off from work. Completely off, including research and administration. Stop laughing and be supportive, will you?
- Put together the best surgical potpourri “bootcamp” for April that I can with what I have. I’m letting go of perfect for this one, then reassessing what it really needs.
No resolutions. Some dreams, some callings, but absolutely nothing to feel bad about here (well, other than maybe the bit about taking time off…I’ll get back to you on that in 52 weeks or so).
Happy New Year, and thanks for joining me on this journey.