Category: Uncategorized

Rediscovering Myself: From Medicine to Blogging

~ drmeganarielle ~ Leave a comment

Today, I was listening to a podcast featuring an attorney named Ryan, and his story struck a chord with me. His journey to law wasn’t linear—just like my path to medicine has been anything but straightforward. In fact, I’m still navigating the journey of finding my passion and purpose.

For a long time, especially during residency, I’ve struggled to feel like I fit in. Medicine has a way of isolating you from the world, particularly during your formative years, like your early 20s. While others are out exploring life and building relationships, you’re stuck in a hospital, surrounded by people who haven’t exactly had the time to grow socially. Conversations often center on complaints about rotations or attendings, which doesn’t leave much room for deep, meaningful connections.

I craved something more. I wanted to truly know people—but how could I, when so many of us were still trying to figure out who we were?

When I talked to people further along in their careers—residents ahead of me, even seasoned attendings—I realized I wasn’t alone. Many admitted that medicine had stunted their social growth. They felt like they’d missed out on important life experiences. Hearing that, I started to recognize myself heading down that same path.

At the same time, my own struggles with social anxiety began to surface. I felt like I was becoming someone I didn’t recognize, someone I didn’t want to be.

And then I heard something from attorney Ryan that truly stayed with me. He shared a story about a world-famous musician, Joshua Bell, who had performed at the White House and was celebrated across the globe. As part of a social experiment, Bell put on a baseball cap, took his violin, and played in a busy subway station with a tip jar at his feet. The expectation was that his incredible talent would attract a massive crowd.

But no one stopped. No one paid attention. Out of the hundreds who passed by, only one person recognized him.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t extraordinary—it was simply that he was in the wrong place.

That story resonated deeply with me. In many ways, that’s how I felt during residency. Maybe I wasn’t broken or lacking—I was just in the wrong place. Somewhere along the way, I lost a bit of myself.

I’m hopeful, though. With time, I believe I’ll rediscover my passions and find the people and places that recharge me. Blogging, for instance, reminds me that I am a creator. Maybe this is where I belong.

I don’t see myself writing to educate, but I do see myself writing so others can feel understood. My writing might not be the most academic, but if I can put into words what someone else is feeling—if I can give them the language to articulate their emotions to others—then I’m closer to my true purpose.

And maybe, just maybe, I won’t feel out of place anymore.

Social Media Cleanse

~ drmeganarielle ~ Leave a comment

I recently completed a month-long social media cleanse, and it’s been transformative. Although I didn’t spend much time on social media to begin with, I still felt the subtle drain it caused. Social media has a way of making you compare yourself to others, even unintentionally. Since having a baby, life has felt a bit more isolating. I can’t just “get up and go” like before; everything needs to be carefully planned. On top of that, having limited family support (huge thanks to my mother-in-law!) makes life feel more challenging.

We’ve all heard that social media is often a source of modern stress, anxiety, and even depression. It encourages people to focus on what they don’t have, rather than being grateful for what they do. This month off gave me a chance to reflect and practice gratitude—something that easily slips away when you’re caught in the scroll.

Social media is like a digital pacifier for adults. The moment we feel a hint of boredom, we reach for our phones. But this habit only feeds impatience and distraction. I’ve noticed that I struggle to stay engaged with anything that requires focus, like reading a few paragraphs (hopefully, you’re still with me!). My mind often wanders, a direct result of years of mindless scrolling.

Social media can also stunt critical thinking. It’s much easier to watch a quick reel on “10 Reasons Why I’m Anxious” and self-diagnose than to get curious about my thoughts and find constructive ways to address them. This mindset leaves little room for creativity, problem-solving, or genuine introspection.

For now, I’m focusing on more intentional, creative outlets—like blogging on Instagram and WordPress—rather than mindlessly scrolling. Taking this break has reminded me how much I miss creating, rather than passively consuming.

If you’ve been feeling stressed, unfocused, or disconnected, consider a social media cleanse. It might be just the reset you need. And while you’re at it, maybe add some green juice for a little extra boost!

What’s It Like to Be a New Attending

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Transitioning from residency to becoming an attending physician is exhilarating—but also daunting. These days, I often feel overwhelmed, even by tasks I remember handling with ease during training. My brain seems to short-circuit over things I used to do seamlessly. There’s a new weight that comes with being the provider for my patients. It’s an honor they trust me, but it also underscores the seriousness of this role.

One of the toughest parts of attendingship has been the sheer volume of documentation. With double the patients comes double the notes, and I’m constantly trying to balance writing enough information without overloading the chart or seeming like I’m not managing appropriately. Sometimes, resident notes can be bogged down and hard to interpret because they’re still working through understanding the physiology and the rationale behind decisions.

Adding to this adjustment, I’m a new working mom, and I no longer have the luxury of time to comb through every detail in my patients’ charts. I used to dive deep, but now, I’m learning to let go—letting residents take the lead and encouraging them to get curious and dig into their patients’ stories. It’s not easy for a self-proclaimed control freak, but it’s essential.

I heard it takes around five years to really find your rhythm as an attending. Right now, I’m seeking that rhythm, balancing the responsibility of teaching residents with the reality that I’m still learning myself. I remind myself that it’s okay not to have all the answers. Instead of always getting back to residents with the answer myself, I’m working on empowering them to look it up and report back.

Becoming an attending is full of learning curves, and adding motherhood to the mix makes it even more intense. But, I’m grateful for the journey, and I’m finding ways to grow into the role—one patient, one day at a time.

Arizona – Scottsdale/Tempe

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Arizona is one of my favorite states. Though, call me biased because every state is my favorite (USA! hehe). You will not regret coming to this beautiful desert. I lived here for an entire month during my 4th-year dermatology rotations. So, I got to know Scottsdale and Tempe well. Below are some of my favorite sightings during my month-long trip, and I highly recommend trying out EVERYTHING. Be gone with the wind.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Other than needing to wake up early in the morning, there were no downsides to seeing Arizona in clouds. It was my aunt’s birthday, and to this day, she calls it one of her best birthdays. Apart from the aerial views, your tour guide will teach you a little bit about the history of Arizona and what makes this state so unique. The only downside of hot air balloons is that they are hot! It feels even hotter, given the heat index during the summer. If you do, I recommend trying to go during the winter months if possible.  

Horseback Riding

The trail ride I embarked on was with Cave Creek Outfitters. The drive alone was stunning. I had to keep stopping my car because the scenery was so different from what I used in Florida. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a couple of cowboys. Everyone was super welcoming and friendly. They made me feel very comfortable and paired me with another rider that was also alone. We basically had a private tour. It was awesome!

Different Pointe of View

Are you feeling romantic or fancy? Then this restaurant is a must! Being a Florida girl, I was not used to driving up the steep incline to get here, but the food and, of COURSE, the views did not disappoint. My steak was cooked to perfection, and the wine pairing was excellent. The servers and staff are very attentive to the guests. Also, the prices are reasonable, given the ambiance, excellent service, and delicious food. 

Stay and Stroll in Downtown Tempe

The Airbnb I stayed at was a newly constructed building near the railroad tracks. Each morning I would wake up to the sounds of the train and sip my coffee while looking out at the gorgeous mountains. I am unsure what constitutes a mountain, but it is not flat in Tempe! 

I am a Florida State girl, so downtown Tempe gave me cute college-town vibes. They have a ton of eateries to choose from, especially if you are the “granola-crunchy” type, with tons of juice and smoothie shops to choose from. 

Floyd Wright Architectural School

All I can say is, wow! This place is all inspiring for creative minds that can appreciate the whimsical side of architectural design. At some point during the academic year, enrolled students are assigned to create their own homes using the natural elements that surround the land. You can only imagine the natural elements in the hot arid Arizona desert. I encourage anyone to come visit this unique oasis. You will be impressed by what our species in capable of!

Frank Lloyd’s home

Thinking About Chief Year

~ drmeganarielle ~ Leave a comment

In internal medicine, most residency programs have a dedicated individual known as the Chief Resident, who is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation and growth of the program. In this three-year residency, when elected as Chief Resident, an additional year is served. However, not everyone is suited for this position, and the consequences are evident when an inappropriate Chief is chosen.

Depending on the program, Chiefs may be chosen by their peers and invited for an interview, or interested candidates may apply and then interview. In our program, candidates apply and then are interviewed, and the committee votes on the most suitable candidate for the role. I prefer this approach because faculty members understand the necessary qualities for maintaining program growth. The alternative method may resemble a popularity contest, and although we cherish our friendships, leadership skills are essential for this position.

It’s important to note that each program has its own way of allowing Chiefs to operate. In my institution, three Chiefs are elected to divide tasks efficiently. I appreciate the openness of our leadership, and I believe our program is at the forefront of progress.

If you are considering applying for the Chief Resident position, it is crucial to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you derive happiness from seeing others succeed?
  • Do you genuinely enjoy teaching?
  • Are you passionate about mentoring and helping individuals through challenging moments?
  • Are you willing to work beyond regular office hours?
  • Are you prepared to plan ahead before assuming the position?
  • Are you organized and respectful of others’ time?
  • Are you willing to enforce rules and abide by them yourself?

The Chief Resident role may suit you if you answer most of these questions affirmatively. I will discuss my experience and responsibilities as Chief Resident in future posts.

I volunteer as tribute (:p). Here is a photo of me as a patient, teaching our residents during our POCUS curriculum in the cardio block. The residents are learning to obtain the parasternal long-axis and parasternal short-axis windows.