Well, I’m back (sort of)...
The last time I made a post to this blog was about 2 years ago… I was still in my sophomore year of college, navigating the pandemic and trying to figure out who I was in the midst of all the global changes. What has happened since then? I found a research job that taught me a lot, I went through a bunch of friendship navigation to eventually find the core group of people I have so close to my heart now, took the MCAT, finished undergrad, and got into medical school!
When I first started this blog, I made a commitment to blog about my experiences in college and life in the most authentic way possible. I am a little frustrated that I went through a period where my blog sort of fell on the back-burner, all I could think to myself was, “This is not authentic at all”. I was afraid to make this post, I still am. When I started this blog, I was in a major transition of life. Going from freshman year to most of my life spent behind a screen, this blog brought me comfort that I could not find in other places. I am extremely grateful for it and the people who I have been able to meet and support along the well. When I took my break, a new phase of life was happening for me. The phase of figuring out why I believe a career in medicine was the one for me, figuring out friendships and interests. I think in telling my most authentic story, I needed the time to figure out who my most authentic self was in my eyes. I got to travel abroad in Spain and Thailand and in doing so learned a whole definition of what cultural competency meant to me, the value of being immersed in some place different, and learning to find comfortability in discomfort.
I graduated on May 6, 2023, and as I reflect over the last four years and get ready to enter medical school, I am starting to realize just how much I have learned. In the spirit of being reflective, I decided that coming back to this blog and this community was something that was necessary for me to do especially in the phase that I am in now. I am in a place where I am ready to share the ups and downs, good, and the ugly in a reflective and humorous way. I am fueling a return to the GPSNeededBlog in a way that is most authentic to myself and the very tagline of it: just figuring it out. I am just figuring out life, getting through each step with a little help along the way!
As I think about what I want my blog to represent, I know this. I want to continue to be a resource and most importantly, a friend. Going through my past posts on the site and on Instagram this past week has been an emotional ride. For those of you who do take the time to peer into the glimpses of my life that I decide to share, I am so grateful. Obviously, the return of the GPSNeededBlog and me starting my first year of medical school might not necessarily be the best combo (LOL). However, I am taking this journey one step at a time and want my page to continue to be a place of reflection and support! No gatekeeping here, I am going to keep you in the know about what worked for me, what didn’t, what I learned, and how I navigated various challenges. I want you all to feel like you have a friend who understands and can provide guidance or a listening ear.
In the past, I focused on sharing my college experiences and the transitions I went through during that time. Now, as I embark on my journey through medical school, I want to expand the scope of my blog to include my experiences and insights in the field of medicine. I want to demystify the process of becoming a doctor and shed light on the challenges and triumphs along the way.
But it's not just about the successes. I want to be honest and open about the struggles, the doubts, and the failures that I encounter. Life is not always smooth sailing, and I believe it's important to share those moments too. I want you all to know that it's okay to stumble, make mistakes, and face setbacks (like 2-year blog hiatus).
Humor will continue to be a key ingredient in my writing. Laughter is a powerful tool that can bring people together and lighten the mood even in the toughest of times. By infusing humor into my blog, I hope to create an engaging and relatable space where you all can find moments of joy and laughter amidst the challenges of life.
Ultimately, my goal is to provide support and inspiration. I want you to feel empowered to navigate your own journeys, whether it's in college, medical school, or any other aspect of life. I want to foster a sense of community where we can uplift and learn from one another.
So, as I make my return to the GPSNeededBlog, I invite you to join me on this new chapter. Let's navigate life together, one step at a time, with authenticity, reflection, humor, and a helping hand. Together, we can figure it out.