This poem and its introduction have been written by a doctor who found poetry the best way to share her experiences. She has written a series of poems on burnout, what I won't be missing this festive period, burnt out but not washed up, Mount Backlog, Coming out and Experiential Practice. Please do take a look … Continue reading Rumination poem
Category: failure
Many of us enter medical school having been top of our year group, or at least in the top few. Some of us may never have failed an exam. We start medical school, discover that we are no longer so unique, and find ourselves amongst student peers equally intelligent and high-achieving. I remember being totally … Continue reading Fear of failure. My story
A post by another GP who wishes to remain anonymous: A Gay friend once described to me his experience of ‘coming out ‘ to his parents. His mum’s first response “What will everyone say at church?” He was in his late twenties and had kept the truth about his sexuality from his family since his … Continue reading Coming Out
On holiday recently I had a wobble. Sitting by the side of a lake with my family, I suddenly felt overwhelmed by feelings of shame and failure. I plunged into the lake. The icy water was bitingly cold. An instant tonic to my negative thoughts. As I swam, the "Wall of Achievement", that Stephanie Hopper of "The Geek … Continue reading “Imposter syndrome” & the Wall of Achievement