I am a doctor and, like you, paid no attention to any of the warning signs. How could I? Too busy looking after everyone else.
A surprise panic attack heralded an enough is enough from my brain and body. I was forced to pay attention. I told my friend that I couldn’t go off sick until I had done my weekend on call (didn’t want to let anyone down). They fortunately persuaded me otherwise. I haven’t looked back. Still a work in progress but that’s ok.
Another sobering thought “The grave yard is full of indispensable people.”
Well, this is what I needed to read! I know I’m not healthy: shit diet (a lot of UPF); a bit too much alcohol at times (which easily takes up to 2/3 days to fully deal with); irregular, inconsistent exercise; and I need furniture to help me get up off the floor. I’m 45. The irony is that I listen to/read lots of health-related podcasts and books. Do I take heed? Do I buggery! I have various health issues going on. I’ve had a colonoscopy, various endoscopy procedures, an MRI. All have come back clear of anything serious, and the beat goes on. I feel like I’m waiting for an authority figure, a doctor, to tell me to stop. I know that I need to stop, yet that doesn’t seem to be enough. I also don’t think that I’m particularly stupid, yet, here I am. Being stupid because I don’t seem to be able to resist the crap, the wine, sitting on my arse instead of Doing The Thing. Thank you for this, Sam 🦶⬆️🍑
Exactly this. When I was writing The Shift so many women said that about the authority figure. It’s like we need permission to take our foot off the pedal. Our own say-so isn’t enough.
Thank you for this reminder Sam. I remember a similar, excruciatingly painful, ‘flock of ulcers’ infestation when I was a student - and since then it’s been a series of other symptoms, most recently chest pains. Yet our societal conditioning to ‘just push through’ is so strong.
Spookily timely! Literally reading this from my 2 week sick bed, where a combination of bad luck (lurgy catching), running own business plus being a carer 24/7 have got me. But will I listen? And how to even start?
This sounds so familiar. I didn’t listen - ever - until my body forced me to. Also, let’s be honest, it can feel impossible to if you have people depending on you. It’s like nothing can give, until you do…
I am a doctor and, like you, paid no attention to any of the warning signs. How could I? Too busy looking after everyone else.
A surprise panic attack heralded an enough is enough from my brain and body. I was forced to pay attention. I told my friend that I couldn’t go off sick until I had done my weekend on call (didn’t want to let anyone down). They fortunately persuaded me otherwise. I haven’t looked back. Still a work in progress but that’s ok.
Another sobering thought “The grave yard is full of indispensable people.”
I *think* this is reassuring! I definitely need that tattooed on my forehead...
It was intended to be reassuring. There are so many of us...
Well, this is what I needed to read! I know I’m not healthy: shit diet (a lot of UPF); a bit too much alcohol at times (which easily takes up to 2/3 days to fully deal with); irregular, inconsistent exercise; and I need furniture to help me get up off the floor. I’m 45. The irony is that I listen to/read lots of health-related podcasts and books. Do I take heed? Do I buggery! I have various health issues going on. I’ve had a colonoscopy, various endoscopy procedures, an MRI. All have come back clear of anything serious, and the beat goes on. I feel like I’m waiting for an authority figure, a doctor, to tell me to stop. I know that I need to stop, yet that doesn’t seem to be enough. I also don’t think that I’m particularly stupid, yet, here I am. Being stupid because I don’t seem to be able to resist the crap, the wine, sitting on my arse instead of Doing The Thing. Thank you for this, Sam 🦶⬆️🍑
Exactly this. When I was writing The Shift so many women said that about the authority figure. It’s like we need permission to take our foot off the pedal. Our own say-so isn’t enough.
Thank you for this reminder Sam. I remember a similar, excruciatingly painful, ‘flock of ulcers’ infestation when I was a student - and since then it’s been a series of other symptoms, most recently chest pains. Yet our societal conditioning to ‘just push through’ is so strong.
Spookily timely! Literally reading this from my 2 week sick bed, where a combination of bad luck (lurgy catching), running own business plus being a carer 24/7 have got me. But will I listen? And how to even start?
This sounds so familiar. I didn’t listen - ever - until my body forced me to. Also, let’s be honest, it can feel impossible to if you have people depending on you. It’s like nothing can give, until you do…