Morning Dread

Ugh- are you feeling that “Morning Dread” again?

When I started out after residency as an attending, I was very excited and couldn’t wait to start my patient care time.

A few months in, that excitement was gradually replaced by an ever-increasing Morning Dread. It didn’t just start in the morning but started to creep into the wee hours of the night.

All my
unfinished notes,
my multiplying in-basket messages,
the reminders of mom guilt,
the endless paperwork,
the late patients,
the angry patients,
the unseen load,
the futile mandatory meetings which never amounted to anything,
the metrics that were moving targets,
the absence of appropriate exercise or nutrition,
the cluttered home,
and on and on…

And this morning it was amazing
- how absolutely different I feel
Since returning for a fellowship and resuming work as an attending for the second time
- I have worked hard to curate my current life - sans Morning Dread.
This was not easy but it was possible and I’m glad I made it happen.

Today I’m grateful for
My supportive workplace environment,
Feeling valued,
Loving caring for older adults,
A system in which EMR isn’t drowning me,
Having boundaries,
The cluttered home but a happy one with a mentally well and present mom.

If I can do this- SO CAN YOU!

Please stop normalizing Morning Dread!

What is one next step that you can take to help you get rid of morning dread?

If you want to learn more specific tips - CLICK HERE and grab my E-Book to help you.