“How much do you make?”
I was recently asked how much I make as a physician 👩🏻⚕️ (these kids on Tiktok are quite straightforward, I love it. 😂)
So here's the thing, as a part time per diem ophthalmologist in Los Angeles, my numbers are not typical. You can easily google 💻 average doctor's salaries by subspecialty (for ophthalmology, it’s $200K/year in California), but you might notice that the numbers range widely depending on the graph 📊 or website you find (the graph below is from Medscape, and they report ophthalmologists make close to $400K! That’s definitely not me).
This discrepancy is because pay is not only based on subspecialty - but on type of institution 🏥 (academic vs private private), type of job (salaried vs incentivized, full time vs part time), and location 🗺(it can vary by/within state and even city).
We also cannot forget to factor in the debt that physicians accrue 🏦 (200K on average), not to mention the years of schooling and lost income 💸 (some calculate up to 800K!). 😳
In the end, I advised the premed-hopeful not to worry about salary, because it can be variable and could be vastly different by the time he/she graduates. The only reason someone should pursue medicine is for the deep down passion and/or purpose, because those are the only things that will get you through the decade+ of studying, long nights, and sacrifice.
https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2020-compensation-overview-6012684#5
Reducing Eye Strain - The 20-20-20 Rule
As an eye doctor, I get asked all the time how to improve eye strain and headaches from increased screen time (especially with the kids!):
Here are some top tips:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule - Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break from your screen and look 20 feet away. This gives your eye muscles a chance to relax.
- Remember to blink - When you are concentrating on work/a movie/a book, your brain forgets to blink. Dry eyes are very uncomfortable and can add to the strain. You can use artificial tears if needed.
- Mind your posture - An unaligned neck or back can trigger headaches.
- Avoid too bright lights or sunlight - The reflection and glare from screens can worsen strain.
- Use a physical book 📖 or paper when able - Another strategy to avoid the above glare issue.
- Hold your digital media at least 18-24 inches away from your face - The closer you hold your phone, the harder your eyes have to focus.
As we go into the summer, encouraging more outdoor play will be especially helpful for children. Not only does this relieve and reduce overall eye strain, but there are also reports of slowing the progression of nearsightedness.
Failure. Is. Not. Final.
I don’t often talk about this - but when I took my ophthalmology oral boards after finishing residency, I failed. 😞 For someone who is used to excelling, this was devastating.
After a good cry (or 2, or 10 😢), I realized that how I prepared wasn’t working (I am a very visual person and learner 👀 and the oral boards are not about that at all - in fact the photos they use are notoriously vague. I had to hone my auditory 👂 and speaking skills 🗣), and so I had to ask for help. I had to find study partners to practice with and even took time off of work to attend a review course. Explaining to others why I had to retake the test was not easy and a blow to my ego every time - but I needed the help.
I ended up passing the second time (I had never been so nervous), but the experience was definitely a lesson in perseverance and humility - that failure is not final, and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but an attempt at growth... 🌱
(and I told myself I would learn this dance 2 months ago... that’s on never giving up... 😂)
My secret to balancing it all…
I get asked all the time, "How do you manage to balance and do it all?"
Well, here's the secret 🤫: I don't.
I struggle and juggle. I lean on my supportive husband, nanny, and parents. I rely on the iPad and TV more often than I probably should. 😬
I get overwhelmed and frustrated. I yell and forget that the mute button is not on. 🤦🏻♀️
It's not always pretty - You may only see the good photos and videos (cuz it’s social media 📱), but there are a lot of retakes and bloopers and adjustments along the way. And sometimes you just have to throw up your hands and laugh. 😂
In the end, we are all just doing the best we can. Don’t forget to celebrate all the small wins, and give yourself grace for everything else.
#VogueChallenge
You may have noticed some of your friends posting mock up Vogue covers around social media. It's called the #voguechallenge, and it's not just about pretty photos. It's to encourage and promote more diversity in the fashion industry. 💪🏼❤️
As an Asian American, I do not often see models with my eye shape or skin color on magazine covers. (In fact, Vogue has never had a solo Asian cover 🤯).
But wouldn't it be amazing to show our future generations that anything is possible, and that all shapes and colors are equally beautiful? ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍🤎
(p.s. Sorry the song that is being used on Tiktok has a tiny bit of profanity in it, so just a warning if you have kids around...)
Style Series - Multitasking Wrap Dress
Happy Friday, friends!
I am all about dresses right now (no pants pandemic remember?), and while wrap dresses are famously universally flattering, did you know they are also quite versatile?
Wear one:
1. as a dress (duh 😉) - but try switching out the belt to change up the look. Wear sandals and a crossbody for a casual outing or heels and a clutch for a date.
2. as a cardigan - throw it over a casual tee and jeans (if you are still wearing them 😅, secure any loose ties behind you) for errands.
3. as a cover-up - now that the weather is warming up ☀️, my kids are asking to go to the pool, and this works perfectly over my basic black suit.
4. for work - throw on a blazer (or any tailored outerwear) and heels to take this dress to the office.
Have a fabulous #fashionFriday and weekend!