Tough Times

Friends!

I'm sitting here writing this and I should be going to bed but I can't help but think. Think about MERP in August 2015 then moving to Dominica January 2016 then coming home April 2017 and finally being in IMF.

It's only been 2.5 almost 3 years but I feel like I've lived a lifetime. It's been so rewarding, frustrating, exciting and nerve-racking and I can't even begin to try to put it into words.

I always end up writing these blogs when I need to hear what I'm writing in these blogs the most. I think to myself - if I need to hear this I can only imagine others do too.

I've been thinking lately about this journey... specifically my journey but I want to include everyone on this journey. I always go back and forth in my mind about sharing my journey and being public about it because I never want someone to compare their journey with mine.

Because I know I do that.

So it got me to thinking... write a blog about it.

I've heard the line (and thought the line) "well ______ is going through ______ so I can't complain".

But when I take a step back and really think about when I say something like that I'm really putting my own personal struggles and hardships down. EVERYONE... let me say this again EVERYONE is going through their own struggles. Whether it's personal or family oriented, seemingly big or seemingly small, within your control or not. We all have things we need to deal with and none of that should ever be compared. No one should ever be little their own struggles because it seems like it's not a big deal. It's important enough for you to think about - therefore it's a big deal... to YOU.

The beauty of medicine and its journey is that everyone is going to experience it very differently. We're all going to have different paths yet we all want the same thing... that MD/DO behind our names. Some students struggles may be internal - whether it be imposter syndrome, test anxiety, lack of confidence. Or external - family, friends, personal illness. Maybe some students deal with all of the above.

My point is your journey is your journey - however bumpy or smooth, internal or external. It's yours. And you should be proud of your journey. No matter how far along your journey you are. You could be in clinical rotations, basic sciences, just getting into med school, studying for your MCAT or just starting your pre-med journey.

Be proud of where you are and what you've accomplished up to this point. Never focus on someone else's road. Be proud of you.

- Jen

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Hi friends!

Just thought I’d throw in a blog post before I go into an intense month filled with exams, finals, practical’s and classes. If you want to know what I’ve been up to – I’ve just been studying away in my cubicle in the library. I will take some time off and enjoy the outdoors (the beach) or go for a work out.

The reason I’m writing this blog post is to thank all of the beautiful people I have in my life.

For those of you who don’t know my father is going in for a third heart catheterization on Monday and it’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me. But there is no way I could be where I am mentally without the amazing friends I have in my life both on and off the island. From the moment I found out that my dad was going to have to go in for another surgery I have received nothing but total love and support from everyone around me. From a hug, to a “I’ll send prayers to him”, to a smile, to any other kind words that have come out of my friends mouths I just want you all to know how grateful I am to have you all in my life.

There is nowhere I’d rather be than at home with my family but being here is the second best place I could be. I could have never imagined the support and family like vibes I would receive here (after only a month). But it brings me to tears… I’m trying to hold mine back as I write this in the library.

After going through all of this and being on the receiving end of such kindness, it really solidified to me that a smile can make a persons day. You never know what people may be going through in their personal life. I always try to keep a smile on my face and share kind words with friends and acquaintances but I am making sure that no matter how stressed out or frustrated I am – I will always share a smile, or a hug with my friends around me.

There is no way you can get through this program alone. Use your friends for support, guidance and love. They’re not family – but they’re the closest you’ve got to it on the island.

Love you all,

Jen

Patience is a Virtue

Hey!

I've been working at my job for over a month now and I've been learning some pretty big lessons. A reoccurring one - almost on the daily - is patience.

If you know me you know I am not a patient person. I do not like waiting for people or waiting for things to happen. I want to know everything now and I want everything to happen when I want it to happen. But that has slowly been changing...

After having to help people who are all in a hurry to get through the walk in or don't have time for a physiotherapist or chiropractor who is running a little bit behind I've realized that all of that uses up WAY too much energy.

I've started to notice in myself that things I used to get hung up on I no longer stress about (and trust me, I am a huge overanalyzer). You may never know why something is the way it is but there is no reason to stress about that. It took me a good 22 years to figure that out but I am onwards and upwards on the train to stress free living!

- Jen

PS. if you have any ideas for any future blog posts PLEASE feel free to comment or send me a message on any forms of social media.

You Get What You Give

Hello friends!

I've just finished up my fourth week at the clinic and I couldn't be happier with the people I work with. They've inspired me so much that I've decided to write a blog post dedicated to them.

I've always kind of thought that the energy you put out in the world you get back. I say "kind of" because I thought it but I wasn't totally convinced. I've seen examples of it and have experienced it myself but have never been immersed in it.

At my job I am the new employee, fresh out of undergrad, nervous as ever about her first big girl job. Ever since I first stepped foot in the clinic I have felt very welcome and supported by every other physiotherapist, chiropractor, sports med doctor, massage therapist and other admin.

From always shouting a warm welcome as I come in (or they come in) to asking how the adjustment to the new job is going or offering free treatment to me. I've always felt so welcome into their little clinic family and for that I am forever grateful.

I'd like to pass that message on out to the public (or people reading this) that no matter how crappy of a day you're having you should ALWAYS try to put positivity and happiness out into the universe.

It'll come back to help ya!

- Jen

Post Grad Life

Hey guys!

I am writing to you after my first week of work at the clinic. It's been a long week with lots of new things to learn but I have gotten through it. The area where I work is very pretty and there is a stunning park with access to the boardwalk, which I always go to before work (with a starbucks blonde misto in hand) ;).

Everyone in the clinic has been very warm and welcoming, doctors, physiotherapists, clients, massage therapists, chiropractors and the other admin staff. So far I have enjoyed every minute of having a "big girl job".

Some may wonder why I would work at a sports med clinic as an admin staff:

a) In order to work with clients I need a license (obviously I don't have one)
b) I want to see the behind the scenes activity so that one day when I am that doctor at a sports med clinic I can appreciate the admin staff and all of the hard work they do to keep the clinic in order

Other than working my butt off and trying to get my brain back to fully functioning power I've just been enjoying my summer. I've joined a group of students I'll be going to school with in the Fall and a lot of them have been asking if they should be studying before going.

There has been a lot of mixed responses on this topic but I will leave you what my orthopaedic surgeon told me...

"Do good work, have fun, and learn every day"

- Jen

Destress

Hey friends

I know I'm not back at school yet but many others have returned (mainly in the states) so I thought it would be a good idea to write a list down of things I do to destress. We all know how busy it gets during the semester between assignments and midterms so I thought it would be helpful to some of you if I gave you some ideas on how to keep your sanity.

1. Go for walks

2. Work out

3. Bake treats

4. Have a dance party

5. Hang out with some friends

6. Try a new cafe

7. Walk to and from campus

8. Take a leisure class (sculpting, painting, dancing ect)

9. Go to a petting zoo (animals are so relaxing)

10. Write in a journal



If you have any other ways you keep your stress levels down let me know!

- Jen