new beginnings.

For those of you who don't know, I'm a pediatric medical social worker. I went through college and grad school with the goal of eventually working at Boston Children's Hospital. When I finished my master's program, I moved out to Denver for a few years, and then stumbled into Nashville. I've been here for a little over three years, and it becomes more and more like home with each passing day. I've been working at a hospital down here, and I can honestly say that I love my job. I love counseling patients and their families, I love sharing compassion and empathy, and I love helping people in their time of need. It's what I was put on this earth to do.

This is why it's so hard to admit - even to myself - that I've turned in my letter of resignation. Over the past year, I've realized that, in pouring myself into others' lives, I have very little energy (emotional and physical) left for my own. I've invested in good self-care and made sure that every professional boundary was put into place in order to protect myself... But no one can work in this field and have it not affect them in some way -- unless they aren't human. I hope to get back to the clinical side of things some day, but for now, I need to focus on my own quality of life. I need to have a job that allows me to fully engage in the things that bring me joy. Heaven knows that there is enough brokenness in this world, and my spirit is very sensitive to that as it is.

And so, I am moving on. I will be working with a new company, still here in Nashville, and I am very excited about this opportunity. My hope is that, when I'm not at work, I will now have energy to live my life. Claire has played a big part in keeping me going this year, and as I begin to feel better, my hope is that she'll be the one trying to keep up with me from now on! So here's to the next chapter and new beginnings!