I am tired
I have a confession guys: I'm tired. I really am. 😥 Yesterday was a tough day: Los Angeles went back on lockdown, and LAUSD announced that our kids will not be going back to school in the fall. 😭
I've tried really hard to make the best of this whole situation thus far - for myself and for my family. I know that while I cannot control what is going on around me, I can manage my own mind. 🧠
But it's getting to me.
Part of it is sadness - for our kids, for our economy, for my lonely friends and family. Part of it is true fatigue - from the worry, from the homeschooling, from the feeling that I can't get anything done anymore.
And part of it is anger. Angry frustration - as a doctor - knowing that had we as a country been able to put our arrogance and comfort and selfishness aside for just several weeks and properly mask and distance - this virus would have died out, like it has in many other countries (and NYC!).
But instead, we complain and fight and make it political and now we are worse off than when this all began... It's like the last 4 months have been for nothing. 😩
Is this really who we are? As Americans, that we care more about our individual "freedoms" and "rights" (to not wear a mask or go to a bar) than the health and safety of our neighbors and our entire country? That me, myself, and I are somehow more important and know better than everyone else? That our own agendas, desires, and arrogance trump science and experts? Are these the values and lessons we want to teach our children?
And so we are all paying for it now... Numbers are skyrocketing, and we are back on lockdown. This virus is not going away 🦠, and until we show some humility and respect - for it, for our experts, and for each other - it never will... 🙏🏼
(Tiktok is my coping mechanism. If the US bans it too, I will literally have a break down... 😂😩)
CoVID update: All up in the air
So reports are confirming that coronavirus 🦠 can be airborne (versus only found in droplets or surfaces and transmitted by contact).
Does this change the precautions we are taking? Are face masks still necessary?
Short answer: NOTHING has changed.
Scientists and healthcare professionals have always suspected that coronavirus was airborne, which is why social distancing has always been a major recommendation during this pandemic. Keeping your distance in a well ventilated space (ie outdoors) greatly reduces your risk of transmitting and/or contracting COVID.
Face masks 😷 are still very relevant especially in closer settings. Not only do they block droplets from your mouth and nose, they also reduce the radius of any smaller airborne particles (air will still flow around the mask - so don’t worry about your oxygen/CO2 levels - but airborne particles will not travel as far out).
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼 but stay safe, friends!
Thank you Theo + Leigh for our cute and comfy masks!!! Use VICKICHANMD when ordering to get 20% off!
What is MultiLevel Marketing
People have asked after my post a few days ago: What is multilevel marketing and how did it help you?
Multilevel marketing (or MLM) is a type of direct marketing business where you sell products or services directly to a consumer (instead of stocking it in a store). You also have the option to bring on and train other business partners for a small stake in their company. The term network marketing is often used since people tend to reach out and market to their own circles and networks, though with social media this whole concept has evolved immensely.
I joined my Rodan+Fields team in 2015 - right after my job fiasco and when I got pregnant with my son. I actually did not know too much about the company, but I knew I needed a change. I had seen friends be successful in their R+F businesses, and I thought to myself, “If they can do it, so can I. Why not?”
I know an MLM is not for everyone - you have to be prepared to jump into marketing and possibly coach a team to do the same, and there are a lot of negative misconceptions about it - but having a side business ended up being invaluable to me.
It has given me an introduction to business (so different from medicine and motherhood!), provided me a creative outlet (it's the reason I dove into social media), connected me to some amazing people, and taught me about resilience and personal growth (you can imagine some of the negativity and doubt I have had to overcome) - and of course the additional income that has allowed me to go part time medicine and #liveVICTORIOUS on my own terms.
Do you have any other questions about this business model? I would love to answer them for you in future posts/stories!
You are Always One Decision Away…
One evening about 6 years ago I pulled into my garage and took a deep breath. It was around 6pm, and I knew I was late relieving the nanny. Ugh.
I had finished training about 2 years ago, was busting my butt as a per diem 5 days a week (plus weekend call) at a multispecialty ophthalmology clinic, and my daughter was 1. Earlier that day, the chief at my clinic had suggested that I not bother applying for the new full time position because I "should be focusing on [my] family." The comment made me feel angry, unappreciated, deflated, and guilty all at the same time... 😢
I had spent my lunch break therapy shopping and arrived home tired and emotionally exhausted. Even though I felt guilty for being away all day, I was about to walk into what I lovingly called the "dinnertime-bathtime-bedtime circus," so I sat in my car for an extra 10 minutes in the dark to regroup and dry my tears.
I have replayed and retold this story hundreds of times - to other tired working moms and burnt-out physicians. Because this was the moment I that made a decision. The decision that this was not the life I wanted. The decision that I would no longer rely on others for my happiness. The decision that I would have to make some changes to design a life of my dreams.
It would take me a few months to build up the nerve to actually take action (start a side business and change jobs) and another couple years to realize my updated, upgraded goals (go part time medicine and spend more time with my family)...
But it all began in that single decision...
Does this resonate with anyone? Do you know this feeling? What did you do/are you doing about it?
Do Opposites Attract?
Do opposites attract?
Peter is an empathetic extrovert. He is patient and laid back (typical anesthesiologist...?). He is the first to wake in the mornings and is willing to try anything once.
I am a stoic introvert. I am super detailed oriented and generally prefer things safe and stable (like my ORs ). I love "me time" at night when everyone else is asleep.
While I don't necessarily think opposites attract, I do think we challenge and complement each other. It's not always smooth, but it sure keeps things interesting and balanced.
Feel the Fear and do it anyway
I don't know about you, but this quote resonates with me. It’s exactly how I felt starting medical school , getting married , starting my first job, having kids , starting my business, diving into navigating this pandemic (homeschooling, what)...etc.
Did I always feel 100% prepared? Nope. Was everything perfectly set and ready...? NEVER.
But I had faith I could figure it out. Maybe I had done something kinda similar in the past, or I saw someone else do it and thought to myself, "If he/she can do it, so can I." At the very least, I’m a pretty good learner...
Ultimately, I knew, if I waited until I was 100% ready, I would be waiting the rest of my life...
What are YOU waiting for?