17 Comments
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Man With No Name's avatar

I really love your writing – there is always such a genuine and honest feel to it.

The Tetris metaphor is a clever way to show what it felt like to finally find your groove after years of trying to force things that just didn't fit, and it captures that satisfying click of pieces finally aligning.

It’s incredibly refreshing to hear a doctor talk so openly about finding identity outside of the hospital, and that transition from the intensity of IR to just enjoying a quiet moment by the lake- again just feels very real.

There is something very comforting about the personal and grounded manner you write.

The In-between Doctor's avatar

You are incredibly kind. Thank you. Honesty is a trait that I value highly so I really appreciate this.

The Partial Patriarch MD's avatar

A six month sabbatical did wonders for finding the person behind the father, husband, and surgeon.

The In-between Doctor's avatar

In many ways I've had my own reflective mini sabbatical! We were actually discussing sabatticals as a group recently. Nobody disagreed about their usefulness

Stacy Wentworth, M.D.'s avatar

I feel you. Very well written examination of finding your “place.” I find that today’s medicine is also not what we were sold when we finished training. The patriarchy, the sacrifices, the complexity all made it more difficult than I anticipated to find my place. I pray that you continue in your contentment. We need your care. 👊

The In-between Doctor's avatar

Thanks Stacy, my concern is what is being experienced now by our residents is potentially even further from what has been sold.

Narrative Medicine - Dr Julian's avatar

An excellent piece as always. I’m glad to hear things have improved for you and that you’ve reached a state of inner peace.

I also find it reassuring that it’s ok not to have it figured out with regards to specialty. I suppose we have more time than we think.

The In-between Doctor's avatar

Thanks Julian. You have way more time than you think to do for this career. Less so is the time for family and the things you enjoy. We tie our identities up too much with the job

Suravi Chatterjee-Woolman's avatar

A sense of fulfilment 🙂. I have found that to be best thing to track internally. Well written, @The In-between Doctor! For a moment I thought you were announcing some departure from Substack/similar.

The In-between Doctor's avatar

Thank you! No I'm not going anywhere, Just taking a different, more positive tack now

Suravi Chatterjee-Woolman's avatar

Meh, you write whatever you feel like! Melancholy, cheery, rant-y. We will love your work just the same.

Surgical Bear's avatar

Indeed, we all still discover new paths where we never expected to find ourselves. I’m glad to see you are doing better!

Gabriel Weston's avatar

Nice. And glad you’re getting you’re feeling better.

Phone Free Will's avatar

What a lovely little piece.

And today you have found your fit! What a neat way of putting it.

(Plus very happy for you)

The In-between Doctor's avatar

Thanks Will. It’s a funny feeling. End of one thing but a springboard into something else.