I turned 25 this weekend. I was worried about turning 25. It sounds old, I guess. I can remember thinking 25 was really old. I guess it freaked me out because I thought that by 25 I would have a job, be living independently (sorry mom & dad), be married, have kids, etc. Instead, I'm still in school, I still shamelessly appreciate my parents driving Cleveland to get me a nice meal and stock my fridge, and have no money in sight for the next decade. Ouch. Instead of worrying about it too much, I tried to be pro-active and think about things that I wanted to do in the next 25 years. So here is my list:
1.) Be healthy & active. It's not easy to take good care of yourself when busy. I want to make sure I make my health my priority. I took a jump start on this goal- I ran a 10 mile race on my birthday morning and got my lifetime best time. :)
2.) Find a job. Get a good residency, work hard, train well, earn a living. Seems easy enough, right?
3.) Learn how to be a good wife. Get married next year, learn how to have a healthy marriage during residency and 80 hr work weeks, don't get too grouchy post-call, make time for each other.
4.) Pay back my parents, somehow. Take good care of them- it's my turn. Help them make each year their happiest & healthiest. Try not to lecture about health stuff too much.
5.) Have kids. There will never be enough money or enough time in my line of work.
6.) Do something for myself everyday. Running, reading, bath, cooking a fun recipe, walking Olive- whatever it is and whatever it becomes, I want to make sure I try to find time for being a healthy happy person
7.) Get back into yoga. It makes me stronger, healthier, happier.
8.) Start swimming again. Join a team.
9.) Keep in touch with friends. Friends from home, college, med school, and beyond- I have met so many wonderful people that I want to keep in my life wherever I go next. There are no excuses- phone/texting/twitter/facebook/email makes it so easy to say hello.
10.) Find a passion in medicine. Love what you do at work and be happy you are doing it everyday (or most days).
