As we round the corner into the New Year, this is an important time to reflect on where we’ve come from, and where we go from here. And with all that we have been through as a world community in this second year of the pandemic, reflection back on these past two years is even more significant.

I’ve thought about this a lot. Who was I, and how was I showing up in the world, prior to the start of the pandemic? Who am I today, and how am I living into the most authentic, honest, and best version of me?

I’ve really been thinking a lot about the discomfort of putting ourselves out there: exposed, vulnerable and seen – and of choosing to do it anyways. This is so present on my mind and in my heart as I’ve spent the last couple of weeks reaching out to friends, colleagues, and contacts for endorsements with the near-finished manuscript of my Boundaries for Women Physicians book that comes out in February.

Even though I am all about being brave, courageous, and bold – and striving to be unhooked from praise, criticism, and acceptance – this act of putting myself out there is still incredibly scary, uncomfortable, and unsettling for me. I remind myself that this is normal and natural, to experience these thoughts and emotions. And I remind myself that bravery is a muscle – one that we continue to have to choose to exercise, day in and day out.

I’ve really be thinking a lot about what holds us back and keeps us stuck and small in our old patterns. Especially as I’ve recently been listening to the You are a Badass books by Jen Sincero, (which I have been loving!!).

Everything she shares in her books I’ve heard before, know intuitively as a coach, and in fact is what I do to help my clients and others – to break through their old limiting habits and patterns, and create their own new reality of life. And yet there is a bluntness and boldness in her approach that I find refreshing and re-energizing.

Absolutely present on my mind right now and all this past week is gratitude. My heart is bursting with gratitude for our friends, family, colleagues, and community who have rallied behind me and Luisa, my Pink Coat, MD Co-Founder, to help us to get ranked #1 on Amazon in not only one but SEVEN categories, and a top bestseller in ELEVEN categories with our new book, How to Thrive as a Woman Physician…!

I had the most wonderful conversation with my coach today. What really is my goal? Why am I so driven and so motivated with the work and projects I do, and why is it so hard for me to turn them off? I often feel that I’m pushing hard on the gas pedal while trying to press the brake at the same time. I know I need to rest, and yet when I rest, the work and the goals I’m working toward don’t move forward.

I’m still trying to make sense of this paradox within me and I’m curious how this resonates for you.

How do we both align with our purpose and passion, continue to move toward our goals, and yet make the time we need for rest?

As we finish out the week, I’ve really begun to think about how we can tune into our bodies to know when we are beginning to feel burned out. Perhaps like some of you, I started out the week rested, at peace and excited for the week ahead. Now, despite doing work I love that has deep meaning for me, I found myself today exhausted, tired and spent. I have two parts of my back that act up when I’m starting to feel the strain. Despite sleep, exercise and healthy food, I had little down time the last few days and I could feel it. Not only in my neck but also in my energy and attitude toward everyone around me. I was not my best self these last few days.

What is your sign that you need to take a break or a rest? How do you tune into your body, mind and heart, to know when you need to give yourself some grace?

As September Suicide Awareness month has ended and we turn the page into October, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it takes to change stigma and change a culture.

What is stigma, and where does it come from? Why does it exist? How do we change it?

20 years ago today, our world changed forever.

Where were you, 20 years ago, on 9/11/01?

I remember the exact moment when I heard about the planes crashing into the Twin Towers. I was walking into my favorite class from my Brown undergraduate years, “City Politics.” My friend walked up to me, and told me the news. “Like out of a movie,” he said in disbelief. What had happened didn’t register with me, and it wasn’t until several minutes later, as we sat down to hear an announcement by our faculty, that the news sank in.

20 years ago today. How much has happened in 20 years.

How much has happened in the last 20 years for you? Who are you today? Who were you then?