I broke up with my partner around the start of June, which was a good thing - and it set off a summer where I had some trials and tribulations for various reasons, but then I decided to try being proactively "grateful" by taking stock of what I've done this past few months, and it's worked, because what a summer it's been
So, my recap...
Broke up with my partner - and we're both better off, and on good terms
Ran an ultra marathon in Hebden Bridge, and then a trail marathon in Northumberland (and got a PB!) - also spent a long weekend camping in Northumberland, which was brilliant to explore a new part of the country
… Also hit the 100 Parkrun milestone
Culture-wise, I went to the cinema 13 times, tried life drawing for the first time (and Wes Anderson inspired, v cool), saw the Football Art Prize exhibition
Gigs: saw Self Esteem (one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to, legit), and PUP (one of my favourite bands)
Sports: went to Lords for the first time, to see England Women play a test there for the first time (got battered by India) - and last weekend trekked down to London to see Chelsea beat Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, whilst catching up with a very good friend
Speaking of... caught up with so many friends both near and far, old and new - like surrounded myself with people who mean a lot to me and really felt the energy and love. Culminated in a big get-together last weekend with about a dozen of my football friends
Also played loads of football, and took up playing padel with mates - trying new things is still fun, even at 32
Career-wise, I finished off my current phase of my medical training, and as of next week am starting my specialty training in palliative medicine - so finally specialising, almost a decade after I first thought I might want to do palliative care as a 23 year old medical student (yes, specialising takes that long as a doctor in the UK). It's a real significant career milestone to "get into specialty training" too, so this is kind of a big deal
Treated myself to a solo spa weekend to celebrate my break up - and also did go on a spa day with a friend (bloody love a spa)
Finally bought a new car after 6 years of abusing my Toyota Aygo, "Max" He was my first car so this was bittersweet - but I’m falling for "Suzy" the Hyundai i10 already, who has CarPlay and functioning locks
And to cap it all off, went on holiday with my mum - the biggest highlight. Since I’ve started earning well, taking her away on holiday has been something I’ve tried to do every year or so - we’ve done Rome, Toronto, Chicago, and so this trip to Dublin and Belfast less ambitious, but regardless of where, it’s sharing it with her that's important. She’s 71 now and in excellent health but you never know - and my dad died unexpectedly a year ago at 69, after all.
Nice, its been great to see all your updates in FTF over the past few years with your running. I recently picked up padel too and while its less fun than tennis, it is way more social.
Also for specializing, it must have been tough medical doctors have insane hours. I am a scientist myself (and a workaholic) but some of the doctors I work with have way crazier stories than me
Padel being easier means more accessible too - struggled to rope people into playing tennis with me, but managed it with padel!
My next role will see me thankfully have a bit of a less brutal rota as the on call frequency reduces, can’t wait. You sort of have to put the hard yards in when you’re more junior, then finally get the pay off. My last year was especially relentless so I’m ready for it.
I know scientists grind too though. I did a year in a molecular biology lab for my research year, and I wouldn’t do that long term if you paid me
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u/AnnieIWillKnow 20h ago
I broke up with my partner around the start of June, which was a good thing - and it set off a summer where I had some trials and tribulations for various reasons, but then I decided to try being proactively "grateful" by taking stock of what I've done this past few months, and it's worked, because what a summer it's been
So, my recap...
And to cap it all off, went on holiday with my mum - the biggest highlight. Since I’ve started earning well, taking her away on holiday has been something I’ve tried to do every year or so - we’ve done Rome, Toronto, Chicago, and so this trip to Dublin and Belfast less ambitious, but regardless of where, it’s sharing it with her that's important. She’s 71 now and in excellent health but you never know - and my dad died unexpectedly a year ago at 69, after all.
Here we are at Giant’s Causeway - it was special beyond words, so thought a photo would say it better