Finding a Better Way to Hit the Reset Button

Well, I haven't blogged in weeks, and I'm guessing you know why. Med school has completely taken over. Which, is not a bad thing by any means, but I am still a huge proponent of balance. I guess I've just been balancing in other ways. Like I went one full work-week working out every morning. It was great! But, then I kind of stopped that streak...but then I made A LOT of healthy meals the following week, so there's that. In the midst of all the attempts of maintaining balance outside of med school, I've also been trying to figure out how I best study in this environment. And, I think that I have figured it out. It took me hitting my own personal reset button.

Pretty sunrises - perks to waking up early to work out 

There was a day about two weeks ago, when out of the blue, I just got so unbelievably overwhelmed with everything. Nothing in particular happened, but it felt like being encapsulated by a wave of emotion. Now, if you read my blog, these moments are not really new to me haha But, the thing is, I always glean new insight from them. That's what I want to share with you today.

On that day, I took a moment to reset. I was not tired, I had been sleeping pretty consistently (see this blog post, I learned my lesson). So, I didn't take a nap. I literally just sat. And, I breathed. I didn't make a plan or a to-do list or go for a run. I did nothing. For about 15-20 minutes. I just sat. Okay, granted, I sat in the jacuzzi in my apartment complex - but nothing more! No talking, no thinking, just breathing. I highly recommend taking some time to simply stop.

If this is a concept I got from some show like Grey's Anatomy, I apologize that it's not original, but it's the best analogy I can think of right now. It's like when you're on a high-speed train. You can't simply jump off the track. It's going, and you are on it, you are going. And, sometimes amidst the hustle and bustle of the fast-moving train, you might forget to catch your breath. The good news is, the solution is simple. Just breathe. Just breathe.

I know, I know, this is TOTAL Grey's Anatomy territory, I am not doing this on purpose just because I am in medical school, now. Grey's Anatomy premiered and soared when I was in high school, so I practically grew up with the show, along with a handful of others, even when I didn't watch a season all the way through. I am a product of my generation, so sue me. But, I cannot think of any better song to reiterate this point than Anna Nalick's "Breathe (2 AM)". And, that's why it's today's pick. It's a fairly melancholy song with a somber theme, BUT it conveys a solid point with my favorite line.

Anna Nalick's " Breathe (2 AM)"

Favorite Lines

"There's a light at the end of this tunnel...

You're just as far in, as you'll ever be out

***

Breathe, just breathe"

For me, these lines in particular encourage trudging forward in spite of a rough patch. Maybe you get hit by a wave of overwhelming emotion. Breathe, move forward. Maybe you get hit by a disappoint. Breathe, keep walking through. Actually, let's do it right now. Stop reading. Take a deep breath. In and out. 

Okay, start reading again. You can always begin again. Start fresh, start anew. Just take a minute to reset, and, really, just give yourself a break every now and then. Until next time, (**cough, cough** after the test **cough, cough**), my friends!