With the new year, I knew that I definitely did not want to work as much as last year. I somehow got caught up in being a workaholic. This is a big no-no for a millennial. I told myself that this year I would take more time to travel abroad, and possibly more time off to focus on myself.
As both a locum and as a nurse practitioner, it’s quite easy to fall into the trap of workaholism. Recruiters are forever letting you know when there is a job available and asking you when you are next available. Sometimes, you just have to learn to say no and even establish some distance between yourself and recruiters.
Recently there have been two comments made by friends of mine that have enabled me to reflect. One fellow nurse told me: “you are lucky you get to travel everywhere!” As tiring as locums can be at times, she is right. In my opinion, there is nothing better than being able to travel to new places. I am sure locums hear this all of the time, but I think I hadn’t heard it in a while.
The second comment was from a good friend that is interested in becoming a traveling nurse practitioner. She told me: “I just started reading your blog and I am so excited to start!” I was actually surprised by her statement because she used to tell me she had no interest in traveling in general. I asked her what exactly made her excited from my blog, and she told me: “one of your first posts about working in Washington state.”
I looked up this post on my site and read it for the first time in about 2 years. I realized I had appreciated the smallest things at that time, and how spoiled I have become.
I am hoping this reflection will allow me to take on my next assignment with a different perspective.
