Finally, finally, finally, I took my first vacation of intern year, and I can’t tell you how glad I am that I did! I desperately needed a break. Having all the major events in my life cancelled and starting residency straight away didn’t leave much time for relaxation or any fun. I decided to visit some friends of mine in New York City. I’ve never been, and I was very excited! Granted, I was worried because of the pandemic; however, I knew I would take all of the precautions and I wanted to experience the city with my friends that I have been wanting to see! So, I did, and man, what an experience!
I loved it so much. I was overwhelmed at first because I grew up in a very rural area, and now I was visiting one of the largest cities. The weather was wonderful, and I did a lot of exploring by walking around and enjoying major landmarks. I did wear my mask at all times even while walking outside, and it made me feel better and gave me a sense of safety.
I also really enjoyed quality time with friends, the delicious food, and getting lots of sleep. I quite enjoyed how friendly and kind everyone was—maybe they were trying to impress me with their hospitality because I identify as a southern belle.
The moral of this story is that we all need to take breaks. It has been a long journey, and I’m so glad I took some time away. I established boundaries by not taking my laptop with me and enjoying the company around me. This was the first vacation I’ve ever done that, and it was so needed. I highly recommend it if you truly want to unplug and enjoy all that is around you—the good and the bad. I also pushed myself out of my comfort zone with outfit choices, etc. I just challenge you to push yourself outside of your comfort zone because it helps you with growth. This was a great trip, but I sure am glad to be back with the people I care about and taking care of patients back home in Mississippi.
Until next time,
Dr. AKP
