Still Surviving! Halfway through Year 1

It feels so good to get back to writing again! I have been in a black hole called "night float" and I have finally emerged from my sleep-deprived and disheveled state. The end of the night shift rotation marked the halfway point into the first year of residency and it truly has been a crazy journey. Even though there have been many highs and many lows, it is surreal to think about how much my co-residents and I have grown since starting in July. We're smarter, kinder, tougher, and stronger. The cloud of self-doubt that was present in July is slowly fading away and it is a beautiful feeling.

I've learned that life continues to happen whether we like it or not. Amidst wading through the murky waters of residency, we have experienced disappointments, heartbreaks, emotional and physical breakdowns. It is really amazing how strong we all are physically and mentally, and we continue to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and keep marching on. In the midst of the challenges, the positive experiences make it all worth it. Being able to share in the joy of welcoming new life into the world or having a patient hand you a thank you card at the end of a terrible shift, these are the moments that give us strength to keep moving forward.

As the year comes to a close, this post would not be complete without recognizing my amazing support system. My family, friends, and co-residents who continue to lift me up every single time I fall. I truly don't know where I would be without their love and support. They are truly the real MVPs. Even though I don't see the light at the end of the residency tunnel just yet, I am optimistic that this journey will only get better and I will continue to grow into the person I am meant to be.