Hi everyone! What’s been going in your life? Pull up a chair and come catch up on life with me for the Ultimate Coffee Date!
Ultimate Coffee Date: March 2017
Princess Muffin says a distracted hello!
If we were having coffee/tea today, I’d tell you that…I was in pretty terrible spirits about a week ago, aka the “Winter Intern Blues,” as my program director calls it. (She says it usually sets in during January, so the fact that I managed to hold out this long is a plus, I suppose?)
This was mostly due to my crappy schedule (working 80 hour weeks and 12 days in a row with no break really isn’t that fun) and the lack of sunlight and joy in my life. I am 9 weeks down and have another 5 consecutive weeks of inpatient medicine to go, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel! (Mid-April-ish, to be exact.)
This is generally the only sunlight I see aside from the 5-10 minutes I spend walking to the office once a week.
If we were having coffee/tea today, I’d tell you that…part of what snapped me outta my funk was actually going to the gym again! I was really frustrated last week so I was too annoyed to even go, but after talking myself into going again, I’m definitely feeling better!
Since I had last weekend off, I managed to cook food for the week and started packing lunches in what I like to call my “intense lunchbox” again (many thanks again to Isolator Fitness! <3!). It’s been great for warding off crankiness and preventing me from raiding the “nourishment” station for juice, graham crackers and applesauce. I think I’ve lost something like 5 lbs on the “inpatient diet” (aka no time to eat) and am kinda sad because boooo on deconditioning/losing muscle.
Please don’t mind my mismatched shoes! Their friends are hanging out in the call room and I’m too lazy to haul them back home to exchange em’ so they’ll match. They’re similar enough that people usually don’t notice though? :P
If we were having coffee/tea today, I’d tell you that…there has still been some joy in my life, so fear not! I am a-okay! I got to go to NYC a couple weeks ago with Trish (twas the first time I’d been there since July, which is slightly depressing given that it’s really only about an hour away, if even). We had lots of delicious food adventures!
See past ultimate coffee dates here!
(Link-up with Coco @ Got 2 Run 4 Me, Lynda @ Fitness Mom Wine Country, & Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner!)
- How do you cheer yourself up when you’re in a funk?
- What are things that you do for self-care?
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I didn’t even notice that your shoes were mismatched!
I seriously don’t think I could ever have survived a residency program. Why they train you guys like that is beyond me. I’ve always worked in teaching hospitals, and I marveled at the change in those 3 years–the bubbly, enthusiastic interns to the hardened seniors. Some keep their bubbly personalities. Others really change. Stay true to yourself and don’t let this drag you down. You’re going to be a great doc.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Coffee Talk
haha, they’re similar enough that it’s hard to tell! ;P
Thanks so much, Wendy! <3 I really hope I will be! I'm definitely in better spirits this week despite still being on inpatient, so I like to think it was just a bad week, which I'd much prefer to a bad year. :P I think the basis behind it is for the continuity (so they say), which I do understand. It's easier to provide better care for patients if we know them well and have been following them for the entire week (or however long), but I guess the risk/benefit ratio of that continuity vs. sleep deprivation and the mistakes associated with that is forever going to be a point of contention.
you are so close to being done!!! seems like you had a wonderful time in NY. have a lovely weekend.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Virtual Coffee Date
Thanks! I’m definitely looking forward to that vacation! :P Hope you’re having a wonderful week! <3
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
Those residency programs are brutal!! I can see how it could be much more challenging in the winter months. Glad to see you are still about to get out for some fun stuff! Thanks for joining for coffee
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…March Ultimate Coffee Date
Thanks, Deborah! It’s been somewhat of a struggle to keep the blog going through these months but thankfully still hangin’ in there otherwise!
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
I’m sad to hear that you haven’t been in the best of spirits. Winter will do that to you. Your schedule is pretty intense; I think it would drive me a little bonkers. Going to the gym always helps me destress, it the best.
Thanks, Mary! <3 I'm on the home stretch(ish) now, so I'm definitely in better spirits!
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
I am sorry it’s been so intense for you! Workouts do help with the happy hormones I find too- even just fresh air walks if you are trapped inside. Those food-pics from NYC are outrageous! yum!
Barrie recently posted…Ultimate Coffee: March Edition
Thanks, Barrie! So glad the gym exists! I don’t know what I’d do without it! (And hooray for delicious food! :P )
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
Keep focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel. Mid-April will be here soon!! Whoo hoo.
Your eats in NYC look mighty tasty!
Clarinda recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date – March 2017
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Thanks! I’m allllmost there! *-*
They were definitely super tasty! :D I wanna go back for more food adventures!
I’m sorry you were in a funk. I can’t imagine being out of the sun so much and just working. I’m glad you have some fun things to look forward too. For me, I like to read or take a nap or take a warm shower. I know some of these take more time than you might have – but even little things are kind of nice; talking to a friend or family member really quick, etc.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Glossies Made Me Do It: Two Magazines, Five Books
Those all sound really nice and relaxing! <3 I get to throw in the warm shower still )thankfully, haha), and I've been trying to talk with my friends/family more regularly, even if it's just while I'm walking home! :P Those conversations definitely help!
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
That work schedule sounds brutal… coupled with the lack of daylight, I would be in a funk too! Glad you got to the gym… endorphins always help!
Thanks, Vicki! I’m definitely glad I got to go too!
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
Keep your head up during this tough training period, I know you are a great doctor! Lack of sunlight is huge- just a walk outside with the sun on my face can absolutely turn a day around :)
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Coffee and a little Florida love!
Aww, thanks so much, Mary Beth! I actually left work the other day and it was still light outside! I was so shocked/disoriented by it though, haha. That hasn’t happened since December!
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
you’ve been so busy! I’m glad you got back to the gym though, I did the same thing recently and it really helped get me back on track due to winter blues
but the summer is coming, and the sunshine!
xxox
Laura
Laura recently posted…Five Ways To Save Money Daily
I’m so looking forward to that! :O I’m not likin’ this blizzard weather all that much, haha!
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
Wow, that’s a lot of work hours! No wonder you’re feeling down, and I’m sure tired! Hope you can get some happy time soon!
Way to go on getting back into the gym. Workouts really do help in some many ways. They definitely can lift my mood. :)
It’s slowwwly gettin’ better! I’m still on about the same number of work hours this week but am definitely in better spirits. :] The team I’m working with is super awesome!
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
Those tacos look REALLY good. Keep on keepin’ on until April! Some seasons are tougher than others–but I’m glad that there’s glimpses of fun and joy even when some seasons threaten to suck all the energy and life out of you!
Rachel G recently posted…Adventures in Sewing – DIY Dress
They were definitely super tasty! :D
Thanks! I’m definitely trying to hang in there! Things are [thankfully] improving, so there’s definitely a light at the end of the tunnel! :]
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
When I’m in a funk I usually need to either, head out on a walk or spend time with friends and/or family…. or even just have a change in scenery.
But you know what, I feel like that fish looking ice cream thing would get me out of a funk too :P
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recipe: Ham, Cheese and Asparagus Frittata
I need to make some friends around this area so I’ll have someone to actually hang out with out here (ah, the joys of being across the country from friends/family x_x)!
hahah, yes! That fish ice cream definitely raised my spirits! :P
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park
The winter blues are so tough…I think a lot of us have been there, but you definitely win on most number of hours worked…kudos!
Gym time always seems to work as a stress reliever for me, glad it helped you!
Oh those tacos look amazing!!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…20 Easy and Healthy Recipes for Your March Madness Party
haha, definitely not something I wanna win at, but somedayyyy, these work hours will get better! :P
Agreed! I’m so glad I convinced myself to go back! Too bad this snowstorm-y weather has thrown a wrench into it for this week, but hopefully it’ll warm up soon!
Farrah recently posted…Mount Diablo State Park