Tag: mental-health

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.

Romanticizing the Present

~ drmeganarielle ~ Leave a comment

I recently listened to an eye-opening episode of No One Knows What They Are Doing. In it, the host and guest shared a simple but profound truth: no matter where you are—whether in the U.S. or abroad—happiness is a choice. They pointed out something that stuck with me: moving abroad to “escape” life’s difficulties won’t make those problems disappear. Wherever you go, you bring yourself and your mindset with you. Real peace comes from learning to find joy in the present, rather than searching for it somewhere else.

One idea that truly resonated was the suggestion to idealize your current moment. The word “gratitude” is often thrown around, but to me, it can feel forced, like one more thing I “should” do. But “idealizing” the present moment? That feels different. It feels empowering, almost like a game, to look around and say, “What if this is already ideal?” With this shift, I find myself able to romanticize the small, beautiful things that are happening right now, realizing that someone out there would love to be right where I am. And maybe they would love to be where you are, too.

The guest on the podcast lives abroad and said something else I often think about: how privileged we are as Americans to even consider moving to another country. For so many people around the world, this kind of freedom isn’t an option.

So here I am, idealizing this very moment as I write.

I’m idealizing my walks through our neighborhood, carrying my baby boy snuggly in a front carrier. I marvel at the strength I’ve built to carry his 25+ pounds for over two miles, a proud “rucking” journey we take together. It’s a powerful feeling, knowing I could go on longer if he’d let me. The weather right now is crisp and perfect, the kind of weather that lifts your spirit.

My work life as a new attending is taking shape in ways that feel challenging but good. And I’m finally learning Spanish—something I’ve been meaning to do for so long.

Things aren’t perfect, of course. No one’s life is, really. But right now, these things feel like wins, and I’m choosing to see them that way. Idealizing the present, as it turns out, is something I can carry with me wherever I go.

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!