If Medical specialties were “sorted”
Happy #funFriday!
Anyone else a Harry Potter fan? ⚡️ I may be dating myself, but I eagerly awaited each book release (and even refused to watch the movies when they came out lest I be disappointed).
So when a paper in the Journal of Surgical Education came out “sorting” medical subspecialties into Hogwarts Houses, you know I had to do my own Tiktok version.
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼 #ravenclawpride 🦅
(when I posted this, I quickly got requests/demands for other subspecialties - so I created part 2 and part 3. Click to check them out via TikTok)
Work to Live
Are you working to live or living to work? 🤔
As a medical student and resident, we were encouraged to dive into medicine, dedicate, and even sacrifice ourselves for patient care and research. Pulling all nighters 🌙 and enduring 36 hour shifts were the norm. When a senior came into rounds so sick he was hooked up to an IV pole, we were impressed. When a co-resident came back to work just a few weeks after having her baby, she was applauded.
It was engrained in us to live for work. 😓💪🏼
It has taken me 10 years since graduation to retrain myself and realize that this is not healthy nor sustainable. These are the unrealistic expectations that will eventually lead to resentment and burnout. 💔
As much as my brain still protests, I have to remind myself that it’s OK to relax. That choosing my family over work is acceptable (in fact, should be expected!!!). And that my own well being is just as important as a patient's. Moreover I have come to realize that to a job (no matter how amazing and well paid, or how hard I work), I am 💯 replaceable. But to my kids, family, and friends, I am not.
And so while I love being a physician 👩🏻⚕️ - it is a job, not my life. I must remind myself that I #worktolive🩺 the life of my dreams, not sacrifice my life and dreams for work...
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼 #worktolivenotlivetowork
Style Series: Gucci model (kinda)
I've always been of the mindset that it‘s not so much WHAT you wear, but HOW you wear it. 😎
So when this audio popped up on TikTok, as ridiculous as it sounded, I knew I had to try it. 🤣
Happy #styleSaturday, friends!
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼
first top Maeve/ pearl denim Zara/ turtleneck JCrew/ houndstooth blouse unnamed from PoshMark/ duster Love Token from Anthro/ red coat Zara/ leggings BP/ sequin skirt Vince / denim skirt GAP/ scarf unnamed from Amazon/ sunglasses Spitfire/ heels Aquazurra/ clutch Gucci
You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup
I am not going to lie - I have been feeling super duper stressed and overwhelmed these past few months.
I typically pride myself on handling difficult situations well - I mean I survived medical school and residency, right? 🩺 - but without any opportunity to relax or unwind since the pandemic (since the kids are around ALL. THE. TIME. now), it’s been especially tough...
Thankfully COVID numbers in Los Angeles have dropped a little recently, and so my parents are now more comfortable seeing the kids. And actually took them for the long weekend...!!!
So my husband and I have spend the last few days on #staycation - getting take out from wherever we want ; watching movies in the middle of the day; and taking long leisurely walks with the dogs ... Not having to rush anywhere or worry who is getting into what every minute of every day has been amazing and a huge burden off my shoulders.
I feel recharged and literally like a new person (Peter can attest!) ❤️ And now I understand more than ever the importance of refilling your own cup before tending to others’.
What did you do over the weekend? How are you recharging and refilling your cup...? ☕️
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼
Style Series: 90s Overalls
Happy #90sthrowback #styleSaturday!
It’s been over 20 years since I’ve dared to don a pair of overalls. But as my mom always says - Fashion comes back around!
I was on the fence about these, but considering all the different outfits I was able to get - I just might kept them! 😉
1. Casual - tank and sandals. I would keep these fitted and low profile - the overalls are the star.
2. Cute - camisole and wedges. Something I may wear to a BBQ (IF this were a normal Labor Day...)
3. Classic - a black long sleeve tee and espadrilles. Can never go wrong with basic black and white!
4. Dressy - a button-down and booties. OK I was the most apprehensive about this style, but I think it might be my favorite now! Just the right amount of edge. 😉
5. Weekend - a turtleneck and nude mules. Keep the turtleneck fitted and try some color. Love the magic a pointy toed nude flat does for elongating legs...
6. Date night - 😮 overalls dressed up!? Yes please! With an off the shoulder cropped top and heels! I love this unexpected twist.
What do you think? Would you try overalls again? Which is your favorite? ❤️
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼
1/ overalls Free People, tank Old Navy, sandals Steve Madden
2/ camisole Express, wedges Steve Madden
3/ tee JCrew, espadrilles Chanel
4/ top Karl Lagerfeld, booties Louboutin
5/ turtleneck JCrew, mules Vince
6/ top Bailey44, heels Gianvito Rossi
Sunlight and your Eyes
As a California girl born and raised, I love the sun ☀️ and its benefits - including mood enhancement and stress relief, not to mention vitamin D production for improved bone heath and sleep quality.
But as a physician 👩🏻⚕️, I also know that too much sun can cause harm. For the eyes 👁 specifically, UV radiation can increase your risk of cataracts (clouding of the lenses inside your eyes), cancers (like melanoma), macular degeneration, and damage to the surface of the eyes (like growths called pterygia or “burns” similar to sunburns on your skin).
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends wearing 100% UV blocking sunglasses 🕶 (which means UV A and UV B blocking) and/or wearing wide brimmed hats 👒 whenever outdoors (even if it doesn’t seem sunny. UV light can penetrate clouds! ⛅️)
Your eyes show the strength of your soul, so protect them! If you ask me, it’s the perfect reason to invest in a cute pair of shades...! 😎
