Donโt Forget to Invest in YOU
May 09, 2025
It’s been two nights since the last time I was awake in my house.
My partner comes into my operating room at the end of my 24-hour shift. I do a 5-minute change and rush home, switching into mom mode. I call on the way and put out sibling fires, rallying the sleepy preteens over the phone.
When I arrive, everyone is dressed, half-eaten cereal bowls show evidence of breakfast, and there are water bottles and lunches being thrown in backpacks. I kiss everyone hello and tell them how much I have missed them. Then I drive them to school and catch up on yesterday’s events and today’s plans. They exit the car, and a little pang goes off in my heart. I just said hello, and now I am saying goodbye again.
When I finally get home, I’m faced with a choice: sleep, shower, or coffee? And in what order? Should I empty the dishwasher, go through the mail, or just ignore it until later? Should I catch up on emails, or rest? The dog is following me around, whining. Should I run errands? After all…I am awake. I see a list of groceries my husband has left me... We are out of coffee.
This is your physician.
Sound familiar? In this wild world we live in as women physicians, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different hats we have to wear on a daily basis. Managing the roles of being a mom and a physician is no joke (and that’s just the beginning of the list). But through the years, I’ve come to realize that investing time in my personal growth has a huge impact on both of these aspects of my life.
It’s easy to feel like taking time out of our busy schedules and important work as both mom and physician in order to invest in ourselves, is selfish. It can feel overindulgent and even wrong to set aside time for self-care and growth, but nothing could be further from the truth.
I like to think of this time as our way of giving ourselves invaluable skills and perspective that can significantly enhance our capacity to fulfill our roles as caregivers and professionals.
4 Benefits of Investing Time in Myself
As someone who's been through burnout multiple times, I've learned the hard way to do whatever I can to avoid going down that road again.
Burnout is like smacking into a brick wall. You feel wiped out, physically and mentally, and everything just feels like too much. Honestly, I am not eager to revisit that place...ever. So, I have gotten serious about taking care of myself, because nobody else will do it for me. When all those negativities start creeping in – stress, anxiety, or burnout knocking on the door – I know it is my cue to hang out with me, myself, and I.
Here are the 4 amazing benefits I experience when I routinely spend time on myself:
Rediscovering My Passions
Setting aside time just for me has helped me reconnect with my passions and desires beyond the roles of mother and physician. I started trying out new hobbies, and you know what? It brought me back to life and got my creative juices flowing again. And revisiting my old interests opened up a whole world. The happiness and satisfaction I got from doing these things spilled into everything I do.
Mindfulness and Emotional Resilience
One major game-changer is how I have improved my mindfulness and emotional health. By practicing mindfulness through simple things like meditation and journaling, I’ve gained essential tools for both my parenting and medical roles.
I’ve learned to handle stress better and stay present in the moment. At work, I’ve found that I can stay calmer under pressure, which means better care for my patients. At home, I am more empathetic and attuned to my family’s needs.
Leading by Example
Being a mom has taught me something important: kids pick up stuff by watching and copying. So, I figured if I want them to pick up good things, I need to lead by example. That is why I started putting more effort into my personal growth. And guess what? It has been a game-changer in showing my kids how to take care of themselves, set goals, and keep learning, no matter how old they are.
As my kids see me taking time for myself to get better, they’ve started understanding that working on yourself is a big deal, and this has brought us closer together. They see that I am always trying to be better. And they get that it’s okay for them to want that too. It is like we are on a team, all pushing each other to improve.
Enhanced Communication Skills
One major thing I learned is the art of active listening. It is not just about hearing words, it is about picking up on what people say and how they say it. By really tuning in and putting myself in the shoes of whoever I’m talking to, I’ve started building stronger connections based on understanding and empathy.
Make Time for YOU
In a world that often glorifies self-sacrifice, it is important to recognize that investing time in YOUR personal growth is a necessity you must give yourself.
So, to all the incredible mothers and dedicated healthcare professionals out there, remember that investing in yourself isn't selfish, it’s an investment in your ability to make a positive impact on the lives of your children, your patients, and ultimately, on your own personal journey.
Brave Enough Women’s CME Conference 2025 is a perfect place to invest in self-care and personal growth. With incredible speakers, free coaching and legal counsel, a world-class spa (complete with special discounts just for BE25 members), stunning pools, networking events, a community of women physicians who understand YOU, plus CME!!
You are invited to join me this September 25-28, at the Omni Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.
DO NOT WAIT! Sign up NOW before tickets go!
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