What the lifestyle has taught you.

[medpedspouse]

That time is far, far more valuable than money. We chose "the job" after fellowship based on the most amount of vacay/family friendly schedule.

[Michele]

Training taught me:

That I am way more independent than I ever knew or believed.

That stress truly can change a person...and that change may be permanent.

That I need to live for today, not tomorrow.

[houseelf]

I agree with most everything said here (especially the "moving sucks balls", "flexibility is key", "stress can change a person permanently"). However, it does bother me to not have roots and connections wherever I am living. This is a top priority to my happiness and you only get this by diving in, joining , and moving the jammies off the couch to have someone come in and sit awhile.

[MDPhDWife]

That time is THE most valuable currency in existence.

[ladymoreta]

However, it does bother me to not have roots and connections wherever I am living. This is a top priority to my happiness

Me too! I guess I've learned to jump in to a new place with both feet. We start scouting out new friends, then start inviting them over immediately. As soon as I have someone I feel I can call at 3:00 a.m. in an emergency, I consider it home.

[MrsK]

Make decisions based on your life right now today and not what you think, hope, or plan to have happen in the future. That goes for everything - jobs, childcare, househunting, financial commitments. All you can do is make the best decision for yourself now with what you have now because you cannot live life today always preparing for tomorrow

[moonlight]

I guess I've learned a few things but one of the most important things I've learned is how to make ends meet. Some things I know I should be learning such as being happy now and not waiting for happiness at a later set date (end of island time, end of clinicals, end of match day, end of med school, end of residency, end of training), but I can't help it. Back in med school days I dreamed of the life I have right now. It's Everything I Ever Wanted but as of today, it's not enough. I want more. I know I need to learn that now but the concept won't stick no matter how much I try working on it.

[MrsSz]

Make decisions based on your life right now today and not what you think, hope, or plan to have happen in the future. That goes for everything - jobs, childcare, househunting, financial commitments. All you can do is make the best decision for yourself now with what you have now because you cannot live life today always preparing for tomorrow

best. advice. ever.

[corn poffi]

Going off of that...I've learned (too late I'm afraid) to stop the mentality of thinking things will get better. I found myself always thinking, "oh, the next rotation will be easier", "next year will be better", etc. I never stopped to think about what was good in the present.

[v-girl]

You would be amazed at what you can do when you set your mind to it! Oh, and your plans for your future and your parenting style can change just like that! (says the mom who was never going to stay at home and would never home-school her kids because then they might end up weird)

[samssugarmomma]

That time is far, far more valuable than money. We chose "the job" after fellowship based on the most amount of vacay/family friendly schedule.

Preach it!!

[Liisi]

I think this is my favorite thread I've read in this forum so far! (Not that I've read that many, since I just found this forum today, but STILL.) I still have so much to learn. Being here with you all is a great help. My partner and I have been in a relationship for 2 years, but she's only been practicing medicine for 6 months - so this way of living is still quite new to me!! Definitely I'm learning about the importance of flexibility, letting go of expectations in order to avoid feeling disappointed, and yes, that time is the most valuable commodity of all.

Corn Poffi, I've been learning that the hard way - that "it will get better soon." I had no idea being a primary care doctor is as stressful and crazy as it is, and naively kept assuming that it was just hard because my partner was a NEW doctor... and that once she got used to the job, "things would get better." Uh, no. Once she began getting used to the job, she got another 600 patients dumped on her panel in the blink of an eye. Just when she moves her two-inch stack of papers from her inbox to her outbox, 150 new tasks scroll down her computer screen. Just when one call ends, another begins. I'm learning to stop hoping "it will get better soon, we just need to be patient," and instead accept that this is the new reality, and find ways to deal. (Hence, joining this forum.)

[diggitydot]

Primary and family care can be a total shitfest depending on location and patient population.

[Thirteen]

Primary and family care can be a total shitfest depending on location and patient population.

So much word.

...

Recently? (As if you guys didn't already know this, but...) "If you want something done, you should probably not assume you will eventually have someone you've hired to do it, for you."