From First Kiss to Self-Care: How I Learned to Thrive as a Single Mom Physician
Nov 19, 2024
From the time I was 3 years old until I was 15 and got accepted to medical school, Labor Day marked the end of summer and the beginning of school. It was a time filled with fresh pencils, a new school uniform, textbooks, crisp paper, and new ink cartridges for my calligraphy-style pens. Writing this now, I can almost smell the hope, excitement, and all the potential that came with learning something new.
But let’s be honest—it wasn’t all fabulous. The year I turned 14 stands out for one major reason: I had my very first teenage kiss. His name was Jeff, and he was the cutest guy I’d ever laid eyes on. He volunteered as a firefighter (swoon), and I worked with that fire department as part of the Explorers Program—which cracked us up because, yes, I was also a registered Boy Scout!
I met Jeff, got my first kiss, and even received a stuffed animal from the fair. In my teenage mind, I had been swept away! But a couple of months later, Jeff and my older sister went to get ice cream and returned two hours later without any ice cream. Needless to say, my heart sank.
Jeff was an easy breakup after that, but it complicated my relationship with my sister and threw my self-care for a loop. Back then, I had no idea how to process these emotions. Instead, I buried myself in advanced schoolwork and sports, pushing my feelings aside.
The Importance of Self-Care
Fast forward nearly 40 years, and I now know that self-care is non-negotiable, especially as a single mom physician. Life doesn’t slow down, and if I don’t make time for self-care, I won’t survive the daily demands of work, family, and everything in between. Thankfully, I’ve developed some effective tools to keep my self-care routine on track—and I’m excited to share them with you.
7 Simple Tools to Keep Your Self-Care Routine on Track
Here are seven tools I use to make self-care a regular part of my life:
-
Music and Sound as Medicine
I love starting my morning with soothing music. Ocean sounds, Tibetan bowls, and Gregorian chants are just a few of my favorites. Find what calms you and make it part of your routine. -
Meditation
Just 10 minutes of meditation can change the course of your day. The iAwake Technologies app has guided sessions to clear your mind and body. -
Breathwork
When stress hits, we tend to breathe shallowly. Richie Bostock, also known as “The Breath Guy,” has taught me how to use breathwork to stay grounded. Check him out at thebreathguy.com. -
Water Therapy
Whether it’s a long swim, a hot bath, or a quick shower, water is essential for my self-care. I swim almost every day to clear my mind and work out any problems with my stories or general life. -
Walking Meditation
Walking is a great way to get moving and reset your mind. A 30-minute walk, focusing on gratitude, works wonders for me. If you can’t walk, find another form of movement that suits you. -
Oracle Card Reflection and Journaling
Pulling an Oracle Card each day and reflecting on its message in your journal helps set an intention for the day and stay connected to my inner voice. Let me know if you want to know more. -
Art as Expressive Prayer
My latest obsession is combining mindfulness with art. Neuro art and doodling help me express what’s inside, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into this practice.
How Do You Practice Self-Care?
Self-care is personal, and what works for one person might not work for another. I’d love to hear about your self-care practices! What tools do you use to stay grounded, healthy, and happy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
And remember, whether it’s navigating teenage heartbreak or juggling a busy medical career, self-care is essential. Don’t wait until burnout hits—start taking care of yourself today.
Calling all remarkable women physicians and single moms!
Join our thriving Single Mom MD community today and unlock the support you need to conquer financial challenges, master time management, embrace a positive mindset, and excel in parenting.
Together, we'll elevate each other to new heights of success and fulfillment. Don't wait - your empowered future starts here!
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
