The 4 Things I’m Doing to Survive Residency

I am officially at the 6 month mark in my first year of residency. To say the entire experience has been a rollercoaster would be the understatement of the year. I have been up. I have been down. I have been sideways and back under again. Still, I rise. Being a Black resident has enough challenges of its own. Add in the ridiculous 70-80 hour work weeks, strain on relationships, isolation from family and friends, limited breaks per year, management of extremely sick patients, and sheer exhaustion…it’s no wonder so many residents find issue surviving. It’s hard. The high from graduating medical school and matching only lasts so long before reality sets in. My gap year between med school and residency was hands down the best year of my life…thus far. And as my new reality sets in, I’m so glad I (was forced to) take the time. Non-traditional students, I am so glad I took the time.

As I said before, still I rise. And risen to the occasion I absolutely have. There are some actions I have been taking to maintain my sanity and optimize my work ethic. Keep reading to find out the 4 things I’ve been doing to survive residency.

I focus on the end. Y’all already know how I feel about New York. There is a running joke between my co-interns and me—one that tickles me to pieces. I am always forward thinking and have been saying since July…ONLY TWO MORE YEARS. At first my co-interns would correct me and say, “Anya…we just got here. It’s 3 more years.” But now, they say 2 and we laugh laugh laugh at our little inside joke. In all seriousness, though, I visualize myself in the future. I always do. Those mental images of me on away rotations, practicing the Women’s Health I’m actually interested in, purchasing a home, and contributing to my community all motivate me immensely to keep going. On my hardest days, I remember this training is temporary and is absolutely flying by. I say “2 more years” not to rush my right now away, but to stay cognizant of where I’m headed. It works. For me it works. And around next fall, I’ll be telling my co-residents, “Y’all, we just have one more year.”

I don’t sleep my life away on my days off. Trust me. I get the appeal of sweet, uninterrupted sleep on those coveted days off, but hear me out. Spending my days in the city and exploring truly keep me refreshed. I cannot tell you how much fun I have researching something I’ve never done or somewhere I’ve never been and DOING IT. I treated myself to a Broadway show—Thoughts of a Colored Man—not too long ago. This was my first time to Broadway as an adult. I went one other time as a teen. Exploring the city instead of simply resting on my days off really gives me something to look forward to and helps me get through shifts all the more. It also helps me structure my off days so when I’m back on, it’s not such a jolting feeling. I know some cities have more to do than others, but really try to plan something enjoyable for your days off. Truly makes a difference. I’ll be checking out some museums next.

I ensure I have something outside of medicine to work on and think about. I cannot tell y’all how life-saving it’s been to build something else up when medicine sometimes beats me down. With my blog and my brand, I do not put all of my eggs in one basket. I create opportunities for myself to focus on other goals and dreams. When I was facing a great deal of difficulty in med school, my older and extremely wise brother told me, “Perhaps you wouldn’t be so upset when things go wrong with med school if it weren’t all you thought about; if it weren’t all you worked toward.” He was right then and he’s right today. I began performing way better in school when I started paying more attention to Surgery And The City. The same is true for residency. Having something else gives me balance and keeps me from being as disappointed when medicine and residency training are difficult. I’m not saying everyone needs a side hustle, but think about what you love to do. Create time and space to do just that.

I lean on my co-residents. Well, as much as an introvert like me can lean. When I first got into residency and was harassed by some of the residents, I thought I might fully recede from all social activity and completely stay to myself. I did not want to participate in any drama. Yes, I am that much of an extremist. Yes, it absolutely would have been possible. However, I opted to give those a chance who weren’t involved in the foolery and I’m so glad I did. Leaning on your co-residents is beyond helpful because you have a shared experience of your specialty, your patients, your co-workers, and your program that only you and your peers will know and fully understand. I know so many isolate themselves thinking it may be better to not admit your struggles or not to gripe and moan about how hard it is. Talking helps. As an introvert, I am saying talking helps. I’m so glad I decided to say yes more than I say no when my co-interns plan something. I’m so glad I participate in happy hours and at-home hang outs. I’m so glad I also have Black co-residents who I can chat with about the nuances of what we face. Residency is isolating enough, but if you have co-residents you can trust, lean into that.

I am surviving. One day I know I will make that transition to thriving. Residents, understand that you CAN and you are not alone. Understand this journey is not worth your sanity, your mental state, your LIFE. I have to say that because we all know the scary numbers about physicians and mental health. Take breaks when you need to. Tap out when you need to. Take care always. Rooting all of you. We will get through this!

xx,

Photos by Sweetie Mensah

Preset by Tina Smith