A Brave New World

There is a certain discomfort that comes with doing something new and unfamiliar. Quite often though, it's the initial bit that scares you, but once you've actually done it, the anxiety dissipates and you come out of it with the knowledge that you've conquered something.

As a brand new General Practice Registrar, every day and every patient is new and unfamiliar. There is so much to learn and just when you think you've got it down, you get thrown a curve ball.

If I could give some advice to my past-self from a month ago, it would be this.

Get used to the feeling of discomfort. You and it are going to be best friends for a while.

There will be wins and you'll get some time to recover if you make time and effort for it, but ultimately, it's going to be hit after hit after hit, and you won't get a choice but to get up each and every time.

Set up a good support system. You'll need it like a drowning person needs a lifeline.

And above all else, don't lose sight of why you're in it. It's the only thing that's going to get you through.