What Growing Up Without Convenience Taught Me About Resilience, Gratitude, and Simplicity

Sometimes, when everything isn't immediately available, you develop an appreciation for things you might otherwise overlook.

I've been thinking a lot lately about convenience.

We live in a remarkable time. So much of modern life has been designed around making things easier, faster, and more accessible. We can order almost anything we want and have it delivered to our homes. We can communicate with someone on the other side of the world almost instantly. We can have dinner arrive without leaving the house, summon a car from our phones, automate our bills, stream virtually any form of entertainment we want, and outsource countless tasks that previous generations simply had to do themselves.

There is an enormous amount to appreciate about that. Convenience has made life easier in ways that are genuinely meaningful, and access to technology, healthcare, education, transportation, and information has opened doors that were once unavailable to many people.

But I have started to wonder whether there is also something we lose when almost everything becomes convenient.

I grew up in Jamaica, and I wouldn't describe my childhood as one of deprivation or hardship. We had what we needed, and wanted. What we didn't necessarily have was the level of immediacy that has become so normal today.

There was no Amazon Prime bringing almost anything you could imagine to your doorstep in a day or two. Unlimited Wi-Fi wasn't simply something you assumed you would always have. Entertainment wasn't available on demand, twenty-four hours a day. If you wanted something, you would have to wait for it. If something broke, you might have to figure out how to fix it. If you couldn't find what you wanted, you might simply have to make do with what you had.

At the time, none of this felt particularly philosophical. It was just life.

But looking back, I think there were lessons in that kind of life that I didn't fully appreciate until much later.

When you grow up without the expectation that everything should be immediate, you develop a different relationship with inconvenience. You become accustomed to waiting. You learn to improvise. You become comfortable with the idea that sometimes the answer isn't going to be obvious or readily available, and that doesn't mean you are stuck.

You learn how to figure things out.

And I think there is something valuable about that.

Before everything was available at the push of a button

One of the things I notice about modern life is how quickly inconvenience has become something we expect to eliminate.

If we want something, we order it.

If we're hungry, we have food delivered.

If we're bored, we reach for our phones.

If we need information, we search for it.

If we don't like something, we replace it.

If we need to get somewhere, we open an app.

If we're looking for entertainment, there is an almost endless supply waiting for us.

Again, none of this is inherently bad. I use these conveniences too, and I'm grateful for many of them.

But when everything is readily available, you don't get as many opportunities to experience the other side of the equation: what happens when it isn't?

Growing up without that expectation of immediacy meant that waiting was normal.

You couldn't always have what you wanted right away, so you learned to wait.

You couldn't always replace something immediately, so you learned to take care of it.

You didn't always have access to endless entertainment, so you learned to entertain yourself.

You didn't have unlimited options, so you learned to appreciate the option that was available.

And when you couldn't simply solve every problem by spending money or tapping a screen, you had to develop another skill: resourcefulness.

There is a particular kind of confidence that comes from knowing you can figure things out.

Not the confidence that comes from knowing you'll always have access to a solution, but the confidence that comes from knowing that even when the obvious solution isn't available, you'll probably find another way.

That is a useful quality to carry into adulthood.

There is a difference between hardship and inconvenience

I think this distinction is important because conversations about resilience can sometimes become unnecessarily romantic.

There is a tendency to say that adversity builds character, and while difficult experiences can certainly teach us things, I don't believe people need to suffer in order to become strong.

Poverty is not character-building simply because it is poverty. Financial insecurity can be incredibly stressful. Lack of access to healthcare, education, transportation, or economic opportunity can have consequences that extend far beyond inconvenience. There are hardships that no one should have to experience, and I would never suggest otherwise.

What I'm talking about is much simpler.

Sometimes, growing up without every modern convenience simply means that you have to wait, improvise, or make do.

And those experiences can teach you things without requiring trauma.

They can teach patience without requiring loss.

They can teach resourcefulness without requiring crisis.

They can teach gratitude without requiring deprivation.

You learn that boredom isn't an emergency. You learn that not having something immediately isn't necessarily a problem. You learn that an afternoon doesn't need to be carefully planned to be enjoyable, and that people can create their own entertainment.

You learn that a good meal doesn't have to come from a restaurant, that a memorable day doesn't necessarily require spending money, and that being together can be an activity in itself.

These are small lessons, but small lessons have a way of becoming part of how you see the world.

Maybe convenience has changed our relationship with patience

One of the things I find most interesting about convenience is that it doesn't simply change what we can do. It changes what we expect.

When something used to take three days and now takes three hours, three hours starts to feel slow.

When you can communicate instantly, waiting for a response can feel strange.

When almost anything can be delivered, going to a store can feel like an unnecessary chore.

When information is always available, having to sit with a question for a while can feel uncomfortable.

When entertainment is endless, boredom can start to feel like a problem that needs to be solved.

And perhaps this is one of the unintended consequences of having so much access. The more accustomed we become to immediacy, the less comfortable we can become with waiting.

I don't think that means we need to reject technology or convenience. That would be both unrealistic and unnecessary.

But I do think it is worth noticing.

Because patience is a skill.

Resourcefulness is a skill.

Being comfortable with boredom is a skill.

Knowing how to make do is a skill.

And like most skills, they are easier to maintain when we actually have opportunities to practice them.

We spend so much of adulthood trying to buy back simplicity

This is the part that fascinates me most.

Think about the things many of us say we want as we get older.

More time.

More freedom.

Less stress.

More connection.

More presence.

More time with our families.

More opportunities to travel.

More moments when nobody needs anything from us.

In other words, we spend much of adulthood trying to create the conditions in which we can finally slow down.

We work for decades so that one day we can have more time. We build businesses so that eventually we can have more freedom. We accumulate wealth so that we can stop worrying about money. We pay for expensive vacations so that we can sit on a beach and do absolutely nothing.

And there is nothing wrong with any of this. I understand the appeal completely.

But there is an irony here that I find difficult to ignore.

We can spend so much of our lives building increasingly complicated lives that we eventually have to spend money to return to simplicity.

We work hard so we can afford a vacation where we don't have to work.

We build beautiful homes with outdoor spaces so we can sit outside and watch the sunset.

We spend thousands of dollars traveling somewhere tropical so that we can lie on a beach with nowhere to be.

We accumulate enough money to eventually buy back the one thing that becomes increasingly scarce as our responsibilities grow: time.

And sometimes I wonder whether that tells us something about what we actually value.

We spend our lives buying back what was once ordinary

There is something almost poetic about the fact that many of the things we crave most as adults are remarkably simple.

A quiet morning.

A long conversation.

A home-cooked meal.

A walk outside.

A day without an agenda.

A beautiful view.

A beach.

A sunset.

Time with people we love.

None of these things require much in themselves.

And yet we often need considerable financial and professional freedom to experience them regularly.

This is where my childhood comes back to me.

Not because I want to go backward, and certainly not because I think life was somehow better simply because it was less convenient.

Rather, I think growing up without today's level of immediacy gave me an early understanding that a good day doesn't require very much.

You don't need an itinerary.

You don't need a reservation.

You don't need an expensive experience.

You don't need to document it.

You don't even necessarily need a plan.

Sometimes you just need somewhere to go, something to eat, people you enjoy being around, and enough time to actually enjoy it.

Simplicity has become a luxury

Perhaps that is why I find the current fascination with "slow living" so interesting.

We talk about slowing down as though it is a new discovery. We book retreats to disconnect from technology. We schedule time to rest. We seek out quiet vacations. We create morning routines designed to help us avoid immediately checking our phones.

We have created entire industries around helping us do less.

And again, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. Modern life can be demanding, and sometimes we genuinely need to step away from it.

But I do find the irony fascinating.

Something that was once simply part of ordinary life has become aspirational.

Quiet has become something we have to seek out.

Boredom has become something we have to learn to tolerate.

Unstructured time has become something we have to schedule.

And simplicity has become something we sometimes have to pay for.

Perhaps the question isn't whether modern convenience is good or bad. It is whether we have allowed convenience to convince us that everything should be easy, immediate, and optimized.

Because life isn't always going to be that way.

And perhaps we are better off remembering how to be okay when it isn't.

Growing up without convenience didn't make my childhood better. It gave me a perspective I still value.

I want to be careful not to turn this into nostalgia for a childhood that was somehow superior because it wasn't as technologically advanced.

That's not what I mean.

I am grateful for the conveniences I have now. I appreciate technology. I appreciate being able to order something I need without spending an afternoon looking for it. I appreciate having information at my fingertips. I appreciate being able to communicate with people I love instantly, regardless of where they are.

I don't want to go backward.

But I don't want to forget, either.

I don't want to lose the ability to wait.

I don't want every inconvenience to feel like an emergency.

I don't want boredom to automatically send me looking for a screen.

I don't want convenience to become entitlement.

And I don't want having access to more to make me appreciate what I have any less.

Perhaps that is what growing up without modern convenience gave me: not a better life, but an appreciation for the fact that life doesn't have to be complicated to be good.

Maybe the real luxury is needing less

The older I get, the more I think there is a meaningful difference between having less and needing less.

The first can be something that happens to you.

The second can be something you choose.

You can have plenty of money and still decide that you don't need to buy something simply because it is available.

You can have a successful career and decide that you don't need to work every waking hour.

You can have access to endless entertainment and still allow yourself to be bored.

You can have a beautiful home and still appreciate sitting outside without doing anything.

You can have a full calendar and still protect empty space.

You can have access to almost anything and still recognize that you don't need everything.

That, to me, feels like a much more interesting form of abundance.

Because perhaps wealth isn't only about how much you can acquire.

Perhaps it is also about how little you need in order to feel that your life is full.

And that is something I don't want to lose.

I don't want to go backward. I just want to remember.

I think about this more as I get older because so much of adulthood is about building.

We build careers.

We build businesses.

We build families.

We build homes.

We build wealth.

We build lives that are hopefully more comfortable, more secure, and more expansive than the ones we started with.

And I think we should.

There is nothing wrong with wanting more opportunity, more financial security, more freedom, or more comfort. There is nothing wrong with ambition.

But somewhere in all that building, I think we have to remember what we're building for.

If we spend our entire lives pursuing freedom but never allow ourselves to feel free, what exactly have we built?

If we work endlessly to create more time but never protect any of it, what was the point?

If we accumulate enough money to eventually enjoy life but keep postponing enjoyment until some future version of ourselves, when does life actually begin?

Maybe the goal isn't to reject convenience.

Maybe it is simply to make sure we don't become so dependent on it that we forget how to live without it.

Maybe the goal isn't to have less.

Maybe it is to appreciate more.

Maybe it isn't to stop building.

Maybe it is to remember to look up while we're building.

Because sometimes the things we spend our lives working toward are remarkably simple.

A little more time.

A little more freedom.

A little more connection.

A little more quiet.

A little more presence.

A beach.

A sunset.

An afternoon with the people we love.

And perhaps the irony of modern life is that we can spend decades accumulating money, success, and convenience in order to eventually buy our way back to something that was never particularly complicated in the first place:

the ability to appreciate a simple life.

Maybe that is one of the unexpected gifts of growing up before everything was convenient.

You learn early that you don't need much to have a good day.

And if you can carry that lesson with you even after you have the ability to afford almost anything, perhaps that is a kind of wealth worth having.

The Most Philanthropic Thing You Can Do Is Get Rich

Why building wealth can give you the capacity to do more good.

There is a sentence I came across recently that made me stop and think:

The most philanthropic thing you can do is get rich.

At first, I wasn't sure what to make of it. We tend to think of philanthropy as something that happens after generosity has already been established: you give your time, your money, your resources, or your influence to help someone else. Getting rich, on the other hand, can sound almost antithetical to that idea. It conjures images of accumulation, consumption, and the pursuit of more for the sake of more.

But the more I thought about the statement, the more I understood the argument behind it.

It isn't that wealth makes someone inherently generous, or that becoming rich is somehow a moral achievement. It certainly isn't a suggestion that people without wealth cannot be generous. Some of the most generous people in the world have very little in the traditional sense. They give their time, their energy, their homes, their skills, and whatever resources they do have. Generosity has never belonged exclusively to people with money.

The argument is really about capacity.

There are things you can do when you have resources that you simply cannot do when you don't. Money does not make you a better person, but it can give you a much greater ability to act on what you value.

And I think that distinction is worth sitting with.

Hard work matters, but hard work alone doesn't create wealth

We have a complicated relationship with the idea of wealth.

On one hand, we are often told that hard work is the path to financial success. Work hard, be disciplined, stay focused, keep showing up, and eventually you will get ahead. On the other hand, many of us understand intuitively that the equation is not quite that simple.

Hard work matters enormously, but it is not a guarantee of wealth.

There are people who work incredibly hard their entire lives and never accumulate significant wealth. There are also wealthy people whose financial position has had as much to do with inheritance, access, connections, timing, geography, family circumstances, or luck as it has with their own effort. And there are people who work extraordinarily hard while simultaneously developing valuable skills, taking calculated risks, building businesses, investing, creating assets, and benefiting from opportunities that allow their effort to compound.

Wealth is rarely the result of one variable.

I think it is important to acknowledge this because conversations about wealth can become overly simplistic in either direction. We should not pretend that anyone can simply work hard enough to become rich, because that isn't true. But we also shouldn't go so far in the other direction that we begin treating wealth creation itself as inherently suspect.

There is nothing inherently virtuous about struggling financially, just as there is nothing inherently virtuous about being wealthy.

Money is a resource.

What matters, in large part, is what you do with it.

What if getting rich is about creating capacity?

This is where the idea becomes much more interesting to me.

I don't particularly care about the idea of getting rich if the goal is simply to accumulate more things. There is nothing wrong with enjoying beautiful things or wanting a comfortable life, but if the only purpose of wealth is to continually increase your consumption, I don't think that is a particularly compelling reason to spend decades pursuing it.

What interests me is what happens when wealth becomes a means rather than an end.

Financial resources can give you choices that are otherwise unavailable. They can allow you to leave a situation that is no longer healthy or sustainable. They can give you the ability to take a risk, start a business, change careers, take time away from work, or pursue an opportunity without knowing exactly how it will pay off.

They can allow you to help your parents when they need it, contribute to your child's education, support a friend going through a difficult season, or give generously to a cause that matters to you without putting your own household in jeopardy.

They can allow you to invest in someone else's idea, create jobs, fund scholarships, support organizations doing important work, or provide opportunities to people who may not otherwise have access to them.

This is the part of wealth that I find much more compelling than the traditional conversation about luxury.

Wealth expands your ability to participate.

When you have enough financial margin, your resources no longer have to be devoted entirely to keeping your own life afloat. Some of them can extend outward.

And that changes what is possible.

You can't give what you don't have

Of course, I don't mean this literally. You don't need money to give something of yourself to another person.

You can mentor someone without being wealthy. You can volunteer. You can share your knowledge. You can make an introduction. You can cook dinner for a friend. You can sit beside someone who is hurting. You can encourage someone who has almost given up.

Those things matter enormously.

But there are also problems that require resources to solve.

You can volunteer at a school, but you can also fund a scholarship. You can support a small business by becoming a customer, but you can also invest in that business and potentially help it hire employees. You can donate what you can when you have extra money, but having significant financial capacity means you can potentially fund something on a scale that would have been impossible before.

Neither form of generosity makes the other less meaningful. They simply operate at different levels of capacity.

That is why I have never found the argument that "money isn't everything" particularly useful when it is used to dismiss the importance of financial security. Of course money isn't everything. But pretending that money doesn't matter is just as unhelpful as believing it is the only thing that matters.

Money matters because it can solve certain problems.

Money matters because it can create options.

Money matters because it can buy time.

And money matters because, once you have enough of it, some of what you have can become useful to people beyond yourself.

There is nothing wrong with wanting more

I sometimes think ambitious people have been taught to apologize for wanting financial success.

We are comfortable saying that we want to help people, make an impact, build something meaningful, or leave a legacy. But saying, I want to become wealthy, can suddenly feel like something that requires an explanation.

Maybe it shouldn't.

Wanting financial security is not greed. Wanting to build wealth is not automatically materialism. Wanting your work to produce a significant financial return does not mean you care only about money.

In fact, I think there is something empowering about being honest about the role you want money to play in your life.

Maybe you want enough money that your children have opportunities you didn't have.

Maybe you want to be able to care for aging parents.

Maybe you want the freedom to work less someday.

Maybe you want to fund a nonprofit.

Maybe you want to invest in other entrepreneurs.

Maybe you want to create jobs.

Maybe you simply want to stop making every financial decision from a place of fear.

All of those are legitimate reasons to want more.

The question is not whether you want wealth.

The more interesting question is what you intend to do with the capacity it gives you.

Wealth can change the scale of your generosity

One of the things we sometimes overlook in conversations about philanthropy is that generosity becomes easier to scale when resources increase.

A person making $50,000 a year may genuinely want to give $5,000 to a cause they care about, but doing so could mean sacrificing something important in their own household. Someone with significant wealth may be able to give that same amount without feeling the impact in quite the same way.

That doesn't make the second person's generosity more virtuous. It simply means their financial circumstances give them a different capacity to give.

And perhaps that is why I find the idea of building wealth as a form of philanthropy so compelling.

What if instead of thinking, How much can I afford to give right now? we occasionally thought about, How much capacity could I build over the course of my life?

That is a very different question.

It moves the conversation away from guilt and toward creation.

Instead of feeling guilty about wanting to make more money, you begin thinking about what greater financial capacity could allow you to do.

Instead of viewing wealth as the reward at the end of your career, you begin seeing it as a tool you can use along the way.

But wealth is only useful if you know what "enough" means

There is an important caveat here.

If getting rich becomes the entire objective, there is a very real possibility that you will never feel rich.

There will always be another number to reach, another house to buy, another investment to make, another milestone to achieve, another person to compare yourself to. The finish line keeps moving because the goal was never actually defined.

That is the trap of accumulation without intention.

I don't think the answer is to stop wanting more. I think the answer is to become more thoughtful about why you want it.

What does enough look like for you?

What kind of life are you trying to create?

What would financial freedom allow you to do that you cannot do now?

Who would benefit if you had more resources?

What would you fund?

Who would you help?

What would you be able to walk away from?

What would you finally have the freedom to pursue?

Those questions make the pursuit of wealth much more interesting because they force you to connect money to something beyond consumption.

Build wealth, but make it mean something

I don't think we should romanticize scarcity.

Having less does not automatically make someone more virtuous, more grateful, or more generous. Financial struggle can build resilience, but it can also create stress, limit opportunity, and force people to spend enormous amounts of energy simply trying to stay afloat.

If you have the ability to build wealth, I don't think you should feel guilty about doing so.

Build the career.

Build the business.

Learn how to invest.

Create assets.

Develop expertise that people are willing to pay for.

Find ways to make your income less dependent on the number of hours you personally work.

Create something valuable enough that it can grow beyond you.

And as that capacity grows, let your definition of wealth grow with it.

Because perhaps the most interesting question about becoming rich isn't how much you can accumulate.

It is what becomes possible because you accumulated it.

Can you create opportunities for other people?

Can you give without fear?

Can you support your family without sacrificing yourself?

Can you invest in something you believe should exist?

Can you create jobs?

Can you fund education?

Can you make someone's difficult season a little easier?

Can you use your resources to solve a problem that matters to you?

That, to me, is where wealth becomes genuinely interesting.

Not when it allows you to buy more things, but when it gives you the capacity to do more of what matters.

Maybe that is the real argument behind the provocative statement that started this whole thought:

The most philanthropic thing you can do may, in fact, be to get rich.

Not because wealth makes you better.

Not because everyone should want the same version of success.

And certainly not because money is the measure of a meaningful life.

But because when you have enough, your ability to help is no longer limited entirely by what you can spare.

You have capacity.

And capacity gives you choices.

Perhaps the goal, then, isn't simply to become wealthy.

Perhaps the goal is to become wealthy enough that what you have can extend beyond you.

That is a version of getting rich I can get behind.

The Danger of Letting Your Career Become Your Identity

One of the thoughts that has been occupying my mind lately is how easily we allow our careers to become our entire identity. It's something I've observed not only in healthcare but across so many professions. We introduce ourselves by what we do. We spend years earning degrees, climbing ladders, building businesses, and establishing reputations. Before long, our profession isn't just something we do—it becomes who we believe we are.

At first glance, that doesn't seem like a problem. In fact, our culture often celebrates it. We admire the physician who lives at the hospital, the entrepreneur who works around the clock, the attorney who bills impossible hours, or the executive who is constantly "on." We associate that level of dedication with success.

But I've started to wonder whether we've confused dedication with identity.

There's a subtle but important difference.

Your career is something you build. Your identity is something you become.

When the two become inseparable, we unintentionally place an enormous burden on our work. We expect it to provide not only financial security, but also purpose, fulfillment, community, confidence, and even our sense of self. That's an awful lot to ask of a profession.

The Slow Drift

Very few people wake up one morning and decide to make their career their entire identity. It happens gradually.

You spend years in school preparing for your profession. Then you enter the workforce, eager to prove yourself. Promotions come. Responsibilities increase. Your network begins revolving around colleagues. Your weekends become filled with industry conferences, continuing education, networking events, or catching up on work.

Without realizing it, your conversations start revolving around work too. Someone asks how you've been, and your answer almost always begins with your job.

Meanwhile, other parts of your life quietly shrink.

The hobbies you once loved become things you'll "get back to someday." The books you read are mostly about leadership, business, or your profession. Vacations become opportunities to answer emails from a different location. Even your social media begins to reflect your professional identity more than your personal one.

None of these things seem harmful on their own. It's the accumulation that matters. Little by little, the person behind the profession begins to disappear.

The Problem Isn't Work

Let me be clear. This isn't an argument against working hard or pursuing excellence. I genuinely love meaningful work. I love building businesses, serving patients, writing, creating, and challenging myself professionally.

Work matters.

Purpose matters.

But work should only be one expression of who you are, not the entirety of it.

When every source of confidence, achievement, and fulfillment comes from one place, your emotional foundation becomes surprisingly fragile. Careers are not permanent. Companies change. Industries evolve. Practices get sold. People retire. Sometimes life makes decisions for us that we never saw coming.

If your identity only exists inside your profession, what happens when that profession changes?

I've seen physicians struggle deeply after retirement, not because they missed seeing patients every day, but because they no longer knew how to answer the question, "Who am I now?"

It wasn't the loss of income that was most difficult.

It was the loss of identity.

The High-Achiever's Blind Spot

I think high achievers are particularly susceptible to this.

Many of us have spent decades being rewarded for producing results. We learned early that hard work opened doors, created opportunities, and earned recognition. Over time, achievement became more than something we accomplished, it became something we relied on.

The more successful we became, the more people associated us with our accomplishments.

Eventually, we started doing the same.

"I'm an orthodontist."

"I'm a business owner."

"I'm a CEO."

"I'm a surgeon."

Those statements are true.

They're just incomplete.

The question that interests me much more is this:

Who are you when nobody asks what you do?

Who are you when there's no title attached to your name?

Who are you on a Saturday afternoon when work isn't demanding your attention?

For many professionals, that's a surprisingly difficult question to answer.

Becoming a Whole Person

I sometimes wonder if one of the greatest forms of self-care isn't another vacation or another productivity system, but becoming a more well-rounded person.

Having interests that have absolutely nothing to do with making money.

Reading books simply because you're curious.

Taking a pottery class with no intention of becoming good at it.

Learning photography.

Playing golf.

Growing vegetables.

Joining a book club.

Traveling somewhere because you're fascinated by the culture, not because there's a conference there.

Doing something simply because it brings you joy feels almost rebellious in a culture that constantly asks us to monetize every hobby and optimize every minute.

Not everything has to become a side hustle.

Not every interest has to generate income.

Some things can simply exist because they make you feel more alive.

Ironically, I think these pursuits make us better professionals.

The people who are most interesting to talk to are rarely those who only discuss work. They're the people who have stories to tell, perspectives shaped by experiences outside the office, and curiosity that extends beyond their field of expertise.

Those experiences don't distract from a meaningful career, they deepen it.

Your Children Are Watching

As I've become a parent, I've thought about this even more.

Children learn what adulthood looks like by watching us. If all they ever see is work, deadlines, and constant busyness, they'll naturally assume that's what success requires.

But imagine if they also saw us reading for pleasure, trying new hobbies, laughing with friends, taking dance lessons, hiking, gardening, or learning something completely unrelated to our careers.

What if they grew up believing adulthood could include ambition and joy?

Responsibility and creativity?

Hard work and play?

That may be one of the greatest lessons we can teach them.

Success Looks Different Than I Once Thought

The older I get, the more I think success has less to do with becoming more impressive and more to do with becoming more complete.

A fulfilling life isn't built solely through professional milestones. It's built through relationships, curiosity, creativity, experiences, and moments that remind us we're human before we're productive.

Your career should challenge you, it should inspire you, and it should provide opportunities to grow and serve others.

But it should never become so consuming that it crowds out every other part of who you are.

Because one day, whether by choice or circumstance, your career will change.

When that day comes, I hope what remains is someone who knows exactly who they are, not because of the title they once held, but because they spent years becoming a whole person outside of it.

Final Thoughts

The next time someone asks you to tell them about yourself, try answering without mentioning your profession.

Not because your career isn't important, but because it isn't the whole story.

If that feels difficult, don't see it as a problem. See it as an invitation.

An invitation to rediscover the interests, passions, relationships, and experiences that exist beyond your work.

After all, your career is only one chapter of your life.

Don't let it become the entire book.

You’re Allowed to Want More, Even If Things Are “Good”

There’s a feeling that doesn’t get talked about enough, and it’s one that’s often difficult to name.

It’s not burnout, and it’s not dissatisfaction. In many ways, everything is actually going well. Your career is stable, your family is cared for, and your life reflects something you once worked hard to build. From the outside, there is no obvious reason to question anything.

And yet, there can be a quiet sense that something is shifting.

Not in a way that demands immediate action, and not in a way that disrupts your day-to-day life, but just enough to notice. It’s subtle, and because of that, it’s easy to dismiss.

For a long time, we’re taught to interpret that feeling as a problem. Wanting something more can feel like a lack of gratitude, or even a sign that something must be wrong with what we already have. But I don’t think that’s true.

It is entirely possible to appreciate your life and still feel a pull toward something more aligned. Gratitude and desire are not in conflict. In fact, they often show up together. The more aware you become, the more honest you are about what actually fits in your life and what no longer does.

Outgrowing a version of your life is also more normal than we tend to admit. What once felt right can begin to feel neutral or even slightly off, not because it was ever wrong, but because you’ve changed. Growth doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it shows up in quieter ways: what used to energize you now feels routine, what you once tolerated now feels heavier, and what you used to ignore becomes harder to overlook.

This doesn’t mean you’ve made the wrong choices. It simply means you’re evolving.

Where many people get stuck is in believing that if they can’t clearly define what’s wrong, they shouldn’t feel the desire to change anything. But wanting more clarity, more intention, or more alignment is not the same as dissatisfaction. It’s awareness.

There is also a tendency to rush this process. When something feels slightly off, the instinct is to immediately figure it out, to define the next move, or to create a plan that resolves the feeling as quickly as possible. But not everything needs to be rushed into clarity. Sometimes it’s enough to simply acknowledge that something is shifting and allow yourself to sit with that awareness.

In practice, this might look like creating more space in your schedule, questioning routines that no longer feel supportive, or exploring ideas without needing them to turn into something immediately. It can be as simple as being more honest with yourself about what you actually want, even if you’re not ready to act on it yet.

Not every season of growth needs to be visible or dramatic. Some of the most meaningful changes happen quietly, in how you think, what you prioritize, and what you’re no longer willing to ignore.

You are allowed to want more, even if your life looks good from the outside. You are allowed to grow into something that fits you better, without needing to justify that to anyone. Sometimes growth doesn’t look like adding more. It looks like becoming more honest about what you want.

These are the kinds of reflections I’ve been returning to more often lately, especially in this season where so many people are navigating similar questions around life, work, and direction.

If you’d like to receive my Sunday letters directly in your inbox, you can subscribe here or follow on Substack. If you already enjoy these reflections, you may also enjoy The Climb+, a quieter space where I share deeper conversations on ambition, motherhood, life design, and the evolving definitions of success. You’re welcome to join us there anytime.

The Stage of Practice Ownership No One Talks About

When people talk about practice ownership, the conversation usually centers around two stages.

The beginning, and the growth phase.

The beginning is full of adrenaline. There’s the leap into entrepreneurship, the excitement of finally building something that belongs to you. After years of training and working within systems someone else created, ownership feels like freedom.

Then comes growth.

Growth is the stage everyone celebrates. More patients. Expanding teams. Increased production. New systems. New marketing strategies. Conferences and podcasts dedicated to scaling.

In many professional circles, growth becomes the metric by which ownership success is measured. But there’s another stage of ownership that isn’t talked about nearly as often.

It’s the stage where the question quietly begins to change.

Because at some point, many owners realize that growth for growth’s sake isn’t actually the goal.

In fact, if you listen closely to entrepreneurs across different industries, you’ll sometimes hear a version of the same sentiment: growth for growth’s sake can become its own kind of problem.

Unchecked growth requires more people, more management, more complexity, more systems, more responsibility. Every layer you add to the business expands not just opportunity, but also pressure.

This doesn’t mean growth is bad. Growth can be meaningful. It can allow you to serve more people, create opportunities for your team, and build something impactful. But at some point, many owners start asking a deeper question: What is the purpose of this growth?

Is the business growing to support the life you want to live? Or is your life slowly reshaping itself around the demands of the business?

This stage of ownership tends to arrive quietly, usually after the first few years. By then, you’ve already proven you can build something. The systems are working, the team is established, and the practice has momentum.

The challenge is no longer simply how to grow. The challenge becomes how to grow wisely. How to expand without losing the original reason you pursued ownership in the first place. How to build a business that supports your life rather than slowly consuming it.

These are the kinds of questions that rarely make it into highlight reels or keynote presentations. They’re harder to package into tidy advice because the answers look different for everyone.

For some owners, growth continues to be the right path. For others, refinement becomes the focus. Improving systems. Creating more margin. Building sustainability instead of scale. Neither path is inherently better.

But what this stage of ownership reveals is something that many professionals eventually discover: Building a successful practice and building a sustainable life are not always the same project.

Ownership eventually invites you to consider both, not just what kind of business you want to build but what kind of life that business is meant to support.

And perhaps that’s the stage of ownership that people don’t talk about enough.

The stage where success stops being defined purely by expansion, and begins to include something quieter:

Alignment.

If you’d like to receive my Sunday letters directly in your inbox, you can subscribe here or follow on Substack. If you already enjoy these reflections, you may also enjoy The Climb+, a quieter space where I share deeper conversations on ambition, motherhood, life design, and the evolving definitions of success. You’re welcome to join us there anytime.

I’ve Been Documenting My Life Online Since 2007

You could call it a habit.
Or maybe just a quiet instinct I’ve always had.

But long before Instagram, TikTok or Substack, long before personal branding became a strategy, I started documenting my life online.

It was 2007.

At the time, I was simply a student with big goals and a lot of questions about how life would unfold. My first blog was called Climb, Reach, Achieve. The name itself captured exactly where I was in that phase of life: ambitious, hopeful, focused on what was ahead.

Writing was a way to process the climb.

Later came Stu-Dent Diaries, where I documented the path through pre-dental studies, dental school, and residency. That space became both a journal and a resource. I shared advice on applying to dental school, navigating the process, and building a career in healthcare. Eventually it expanded into a YouTube channel as well.

Looking back, I realize something now that I didn’t fully understand then.

Each platform wasn’t just about content.

It was about a phase of life.

Every season brought a different set of questions.

As a student, the questions were about opportunity and access.
As a young professional, they were about building a career.
As an entrepreneur, they became about ownership, productivity, and freedom.

And now, this season feels different again.

These days, my writing lives mostly here at The UnOrthoDoc, where the focus is less about achieving the next milestone and more about understanding what success actually means once you’ve reached a few of them.

The questions have evolved.

Instead of asking how do I get there, I find myself asking what kind of life am I actually building?

It’s a subtle but meaningful shift.

Over the years, many people have told me they’ve followed along quietly through these phases. Some have even shared that watching my journey gave them the confidence to pursue paths of their own — whether that meant applying to dental school, starting a business, or stepping into practice ownership.

That’s something I don’t take lightly.

Because if there’s one thing nearly two decades of writing online has taught me, it’s this:

The internet moves fast, but real influence moves slowly.

It’s built over time, through consistency, honesty, and the willingness to share the evolving questions we’re all navigating.

And if my writing has always had a theme, it’s probably this:

The climb never really ends.

It just changes shape.

If you’d like to receive my Sunday letters directly in your inbox, you can subscribe here or follow on Substack. If you already enjoy these reflections, you may also enjoy The Climb+, a quieter space where I share deeper conversations on ambition, motherhood, life design, and the evolving definitions of success. You’re welcome to join us there anytime.

The Work-Life Balance Myth for Healthcare Moms and What Actually Works

If you’re a mother in healthcare, you’ve likely been sold the idea of “balance” as if the right planner, schedule, or mindset could make demanding work and motherhood feel evenly distributed. I know because I once thought this was totally doable. It’s more of a “balancing act.”

In reality? Balance is a myth, and chasing it can leave you feeling like you’re constantly falling short.

Why Balance Doesn’t Work in for Healthcare Moms

Generally speaking, healthcare is not a flexible, low-demand career. It requires presence, precision, emotional labor, and responsibility, often all at once. Motherhood demands the same. Trying to give equal energy to both at all times sets an impossible standard.

What often happens instead:

• Guilt at work for not being home

• Guilt at home for thinking about work

• Exhaustion from trying to perform well everywhere, all the time

The problem isn’t you. It’s the expectation.

What Works Instead: Intentional Seasons

Rather than balance, what has proven sustainable, for me and for many women I know, is intentional seasons.

That means:

• Accepting that some seasons are work-heavy

• Others are family-heavy

• Some are quiet, reflective, or restorative

And trusting that none of those seasons define your worth or ambition.

Redefining Success After Motherhood

Motherhood changes you. It sharpens your priorities. It forces efficiency. It exposes what no longer matters.

For many healthcare moms, success evolves from:

• Titles → autonomy

• Hustle → sustainability

• Constant output → meaningful impact

This isn’t a loss of ambition. It’s refinement.

Boundaries Aren’t Weakness, they’re Strategy

What actually helps:

• Designing work schedules that reflect real life

• Asking for help without over-explaining

• Letting go of perfection at home and at work

• Measuring success over years, not weeks

Motherhood doesn’t make you less committed to your profession. In many ways, it makes you more intentional about how and why you show up.

A Final Word to the Healthcare Mom Reading This

You are not behind.

You are not failing.

You are not “doing it wrong.”

You are building a life and career in layers, seasons, and choices - many of which won’t make sense to anyone else. And that’s okay.

The goal was not balance. The goal is alignment.

Get more reflections on topic like this from The Climb Sunday letters and go deeper with The Climb+ community

What If Work Wasn’t the Center of Your Life?

A few years ago, I wouldn’t have even asked this question. Work was the center of my life, without hesitation or apology. Every calendar decision, every to-do list, every ounce of energy was filtered through the question:
“How does this help me grow my career or business(es)?”

That made sense at the time. I had a career to build and private practice to run. A brand to build. A reputation to maintain. Employees to support. And to be honest, there’s a sense of pride and identity that comes with all of that.

But somewhere along the way, life changed.

Motherhood Reorders Everything

When I became a mom, things started to shift. It didn’t happen overnight, not in a dramatic “aha” moment, but slowly. Subtly. Then all at once.

First, it was one child. Then came twins. Suddenly I wasn’t just a business owner trying to juggle a packed schedule or manage a team . I was someone’s safe place. Someone’s source of comfort at 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. I was a mother managing wake-ups, toddler meltdowns, preschool prep, and the soft, sacred work of just being there. Babies don’t care about business hours or launch dates. They don’t care what your to-do list says. They care about presence. They have a way of commanding your attention in the most honest, non-negotiable way. They refocus your energy. You see what truly matters. And before you know it, that meeting or email or "urgent" call doesn’t feel so urgent anymore.

It forced me to stop and ask:

What am I doing all of this for, really?

Because if I build an empire but miss out on the softness of these early years… was it worth it?

Burnout Isn’t Always About Failure

Somewhere along the way, I realized I was burnt out. Not because I was failing, but because I had succeeded at something that no longer aligned with the life I was building.

And I’m not alone. I live and work in Washington, D.C., patients and colleagues alike are sharing stories of job loss, federal program shutdowns, families moving back in together to survive rising costs. We’re all being stretched thin emotionally, financially, and maybe even spiritually.

This is a season that’s demanding realignment. A season that invites us to slow down and ask better questions.

One book that helped me find language for this feeling is The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest. It explores how we often sabotage ourselves through overwork and misplaced values and how healing comes from climbing your personal mountain with compassion, not hustle.

The Case for Slow Work

I’ve been deeply inspired by what Myleik Teele and Matt Gottesman recently shared in their respective writings about slow work. Myleik says she’s not interested in rushing anything anymore. She calls herself a “crockpot,” and I love that. Because the things that really matter: clarity, confidence, deep connection - don’t come fast. They come with simmering. They come with sitting in discomfort. They come with letting go of urgency and trusting that what’s meant for you won’t miss you.

Matt echoed this idea in a different way. He talked about how speed has become the default metric for value in our society. We want instant responses, instant success, instant meaning.

But what’s real takes time. What lasts takes intention.
Fast work creates noise.
Slow work builds substance.
Soul. Sustainability. Presence.

This message echoes the heart of another book I recommended to my community:
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer.
This book argues that hustle culture is costing us our spiritual, emotional, and relational health and that deep peace only comes when we slow down. It’s not a productivity hack; it’s a lifestyle shift. One I’m still learning to practice.

A Life That Can Hold You

That’s what I’m building now. Not a bigger life.
A life that can hold me.

Hold my children.
Hold my purpose.
Hold my joy and exhaustion at the same time.
Hold my healing.

I don’t want a life that looks good but feels hollow. I want one that breathes, even if that means producing less, posting less, rushing less. Even if that means saying no to opportunities that would’ve once thrilled me.
Even if that means making work one part of my identity, not the whole.

An Invitation to Realign

Maybe you're feeling this too. Maybe success doesn’t look the way it used to. Maybe you’ve achieved things that still left you feeling tired, unclear, or unfulfilled.

I’ll leave you with this:

The world will keep telling you to speed up.
Your body, your spirit, and your family might be telling you to slow down.

Listen.

Let this question breathe.
What would your life look like if it was built for you. Not your job title, not the expectations of others, but you?

It’s not an easy shift. But it’s one I believe in with my whole heart.
And I’m making it, one quiet step at a time.

What is Slow Living? 6 Ways to Embrace it This Winter

This article was originally written by Emily Pascale of Rent. and features The UnOrthoDoc.

In the hustle of daily life, it's easy to forget to pause and be present. Slow living encourages us to savor the moment and prioritize what truly matters. As winter sets in, whether you’re cozying up at home in Bend, OR, Burlington, VT, or an apartment in Edgewater, NJ, slowing down during these colder months creates space for rest, renewal, and a deeper connection with yourself.

How do we define slow living?

Slow living is more than a trending hashtag – it’s a mindset that invites us to slow down, savor life’s simplest moments, and embrace a rhythm that nurtures our well-being and purpose. Wellness business coach, Joanna Sapir, familiar with the pressures of a fast-paced society, shares her journey of adopting a slow living mindset and prioritizing these practices today.

 “After selling my first business, I knew I wanted to start this one with a slow lifestyle in mind. I wanted to wake naturally with no alarm each day, so my business doesn’t ‘open’ until late morning. I didn’t want to commute, so I found the technology to work with individuals from home. I limited my work hours so I have ample time for leisure, exercise, and enjoying life. I’m now going on eight years in this business, and it’s been wonderful.”

 While approaches to slow living may differ, Joanna’s story highlights its core values—intention, balance, and joy. The team at  Sipping Streams Tea embraces slow living by incorporating mindful rituals into their lives such as drinking tea. “Each sip embodies mindfulness, offering a pause to reconnect with yourself and appreciate simple joys. With its rich flavors and warmth, tea becomes more than a drink—it’s a practice of balance and a reminder to cherish quality over haste in a busy world.” Let’s explore more ways to embrace slow living this winter.

1. Appreciate the present moment

Daily tasks pull us from the present, but embracing the moment brings calm, clarity, and connection, especially in winter's slower pace. Jennifer Dowdy at Slow Simple Seasonal shares, “As the quietude of winter turns us inward, we have the opportunity to pay greater attention to the details of our lives. We can create a beautiful life from ordinary moments. Write a handwritten letter to a friend, wash the dishes by candlelight, or go stargazing. These moments remind us to find joy in a noisy, busy world.”

Practice mindfulness in your daily routine

One way to incorporate presence into your slow living lifestyle is through mindfulness, which is rooted in simple, everyday actions. Bass Wellness Center, a mental health center based in New York, explains how meditation can support this approach. “One activity that aligns perfectly with a mindful lifestyle is practicing meditation. This winter, taking a few moments each day to meditate can help you savor the present moment, fostering peace and balance amidst the hustle of daily life.”

Along with meditation, Erika Millage, owner of Third Planet Boutique located in Bellingham, WA, shares simple practices that can enrich your day: “Slow living is about savoring the moment and being present. It’s noticing the snail on the sidewalk as you walk your dog, smiling at a stranger or store employee, or savoring the warmth of your bed for an extra minute before starting your day. Slow living is taking time to truly live and appreciate what it means to be alive.”

Echoing this focus on mindfulness, Kayla Baker of All Tree Roots, which offers all-natural products and healing services, shares a mindful practice called The Sacred Pause. “Before everyday tasks like washing dishes or folding laundry, pause and bring your full attention to what you’re about to do. Focus on one task at a time, rather than rushing through multiple activities. This transforms routine chores into moments of presence and peace, helping you savor the simplest parts of your day.”

Act intentionally

While mindfulness is about being present, intentional action involves making choices that align with your values and goals.

 Jeffrey Smith, MD, DLFAPA of How Therapy Works, believes one of the most vital steps you can take for the long winter days is to make the intention to value your inner self. “Our conscious, logical self is great for filtering out spontaneous thoughts that don’t make sense, but the inner self is the creative one. Making it part of your life is like riding a horse, you have influence, but you aren’t fully in control. It operates independently, but it’s the one that owns your true motivation and deepest interests. The more you pay attention to your inner self, the more it will respond and enrich your hours and days with ideas, projects, mimes, and goals you really want to pursue.”

 This sense of intention can extend into other areas of your life, such as your yoga space. Leigha Butler Yoga shares, “Chefs talk about their ‘mise en place,’ or how they set up their cooking space. I encourage my students to think of their yoga set-up in a similar way. Consciously choose items for your yoga nook that please your senses and heart, like a handcrafted yoga mat instead of a mass-manufactured one. When each item is intentionally chosen, your brain will naturally settle into a slower, more present, and appreciative rhythm.”

2. Build a peaceful morning routine

Embrace slow living this winter by starting your mornings with intention. Whether you rise early for a nourishing breakfast or linger in bed, mornings set the tone for a more meaningful day.

Start your morning with a hot cup of tea

As discussed earlier, tea is often part of daily rituals but when incorporated specifically into the morning routine it can offer both comfort and a variety of benefits. TeBella Tea Company, located in various locations across Florida, is all about the ritual of tea and the mindfulness it creates. They highlight how tea can enhance your routine. “Tea contains L-theanine, a powerful amino acid thought to promote mindfulness, mental clarity and focus while reducing stress and anxiety.”

Ashita Agrawal, the Indian Tea Blogger, can speak from her personal morning routine on the impact tea has in her life, “Every morning I wake up, I brew a cup of Tea in Gaiwan. For me, tea is not just a beverage, but a way of mindfulness. The process of brewing helps me calm down. The unfurling of leaves, the aroma, to the warmth of that first sip, each moment helps me slow down and feel more peaceful. Brewing tea reminds me how important each moment is.”

Similarly, Tuk Tea Company based in Portland, OR, emphasizes how tea can serve as the cornerstone of a slow living lifestyle, encouraging mindfulness and tranquility with every sip. “Tea embodies the essence of slowing down. The process of preparing and drinking tea – whether it’s a ritual or a simple act-naturally draws you into the present moment. Together, slow living, mindfulness, and tea create a space where you can unwind, recharge, and cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.”

Implement morning pages into your routine

While sipping your morning tea or coffee, consider adding morning pages to your routine—a practice from Julia Cameron's The Artist’s Way that clears the mind, sparks creativity, and fosters mindfulness. Alina Liao, owner of Zenit Journals, a radical wellness company dedicated to the mental health benefits of journaling, shares insights on making this transformative practice a meaningful part of your mornings. 

“When we are constantly living fast, we often push aside our feelings and ignore our needs. A journaling routine is a powerful way to pause, check in with ourselves, process our feelings, and identify what serves us. This winter, we can embrace slow living by taking 5-10 minutes in the morning to check in with ourselves using journaling prompts like: ‘What am I feeling in my body, heart, and mind right now?’ ‘How did I honor my needs and wants yesterday?’ ‘What serves me today?’”

Maybe writing isn’t your thing, but you can still set intentions and cultivate mindfulness by reflecting on meaningful questions to start your day. Dr. Patrice Smith of The UnOrthoDoc shares her way of doing it. “One activity that truly aligns with the principles of slow living is starting my mornings with a cup of tea or coffee. Taking just 10-15 minutes to reflect on what I’m thankful for helps me ground myself, embrace mindfulness, and set a peaceful tone for the day. It’s a simple, intentional practice that reminds me to savor the little joys in life.”

Get fresh air

After morning pages or quiet reflection, take your slow living practice outdoors. A stroll in nature or sipping your drink on the porch brings fresh air, mindfulness, and a sense of renewal.

Meredith Van Ness, a Licensed Psychotherapist (LCSW), highlights the power of connecting with nature as a way to embrace slow living this winter. “One of my favorite slow living practices is a morning walk in nature. It's a simple way to slow down and connect with the world. Even if you don't live in the mountains like I do, you can find little spaces of nature almost anywhere – a park, a garden, or just a few potted plants. Taking a few minutes to breathe in the fresh air can bring calm and clarity to your day, helping you live more intentionally.”

Similarly, Indigo Wellness Group shares a grounding practice they like to take part in to embrace the slow living philosophy, “Our ‘10 before 10’ principle—spending 10 minutes outside before 10 a.m., no matter the weather. Time in nature and fresh air are powerful for our nervous system, helping to reduce stress, boost mood, and promote clarity. This small daily ritual reconnects us with the world around us, nurturing inner calm and setting a balanced, intentional tone for the day ahead.”

3. Embrace slow activities

As winter settles in, cozy beds and couches beckon, tempting us to sleep or binge-watch. This season of hibernation is perfect for embracing slow living and nurturing mind and body.

Take the first step toward less screen time

Limiting screen time helps reclaim your day and fosters deeper self-connection. Jordan Brown, MS, LPC, NCC of No Worries Wellness in Wauwatosa, WI, explains how stepping back from digital distractions creates space for more meaningful activities and personal growth.

“Limiting screen time allows you to be more present and mindful, creating space in your day for more meaningful activities. By spending less time online, you reduce the tendency to compare yourself to others and become less influenced by outside opinions and lifestyles. This allows you to tune into your own needs and values, helping you focus on what’s most important to you and prioritize what truly matters in your life.”

Move your body

Slower movement, like gentle stretches or peaceful walks, encourages mindfulness and connection with yourself and your surroundings. Anya Keys of Yogini Keys explains that mindful movement benefits not only your body but also your mind and soul.

“Slow, mindful living extends to how and when we move our bodies. While exercise is key to physical health, it’s important to approach movement with intention, especially in winter when days are shorter. Check in with your body—does it crave a brisk walk to get your blood moving, yoga to loosen muscles, or a bath to recover? Tuning into your body’s needs cultivates mindfulness and self-awareness, essential for living a deliberate, slow-paced life.”

Current Wellness, a wellness center for physical and mental health in downtown Raleigh, NC, reiterates the importance of mindful movement. “Yoga offers the opportunity to be present in each moment. It helps us connect to our breath, balance effort and ease, and reflect on how we do what we do. It cultivates gratitude and deeper respect for our bodies. Practicing integrity and purpose on the mat carries into our lives off the mat.” If you're in Raleigh, Current Wellness offers yoga classes and workshops to deepen your practice and embrace slow living this winter.

Indulge in a good book

There's something captivating about curling up with a good book, especially in the quiet of winter. Books With Bunnyblog perfectly captures how reading can add to your days of slow living.

 “Reading is the perfect way to embrace slow living. Especially during winter, nothing beats bundling up by the fireplace with a good book. Not only does reading help you unplug from the digital world, but it can also inspire you and encourage you to take a moment out of your day to do something just for yourself.”

Set time aside for your creativity

Expressing creativity through hobbies like painting, writing, or crafting is a beautiful way to slow down and find fulfillment.

Sewing at home is a great activity to embrace slow living, allowing you to unplug and savor the joy of creating something unique. Wild Linens highlights how using high-quality materials like linen enhances the experience, as its natural texture and durability ensure handcrafted items are kind to the environment and will bring joy for many years to come. “The process of cutting, stitching, and creating invites you to focus on the present, with each handmade piece becoming a meaningful addition to your home, wardrobe or a thoughtful gift for someone you love.”

Writing by hand offers another way to slow down and reconnect. Katri Soikkeli, author and owner of Protagonists Crafts, illustrates how this practice encourages reflection and self-expression in a fast-paced digital world. “Whether you're writing a little story about birds and goblins, working towards your future bestselling novel or just jotting down a funny memory from that day, it engages your brain differently than typing on the computer and it helps you share your unique point of view with the world. What's even better, there's no rush to be perfect on the first try – mindful editing of your writing is a valuable part of the process.”

Immerse yourself in a creative retreat

Wellness retreats provide a chance to slow down, nurture creativity, and escape busy crowds. Ceramic artist Nathalie Edwards left London for Aveyron, France, where she renovated a historic mill to create ceramics and host Writers Retreats and Artist Residencies.

“I wanted The Mill France to be a place of connection, creativity, and community—and that’s exactly what it has become. I created a 'home' where creatives can be inspired, rest, reconnect with nature, and rediscover their inner artist. I have the privilege of working alongside them. Bringing artists and writers together in a small community is where the magic happens—discussions, cross-pollination, and mentoring unfold naturally. These retreats embody slow living, allowing creativity and reflection to flow at a peaceful, intentional pace.”

Nathalie explains how most of her mornings look at The Mill. “I have my coffee outside by the river with my bare feet in the grass—even when it's icy. Connecting with the earth and swimming in the cold river really brings you into the present moment. Most guests join in with the river swimming, it’s very addictive.”

4. Get in touch with your senses

A key aspect of slow living is reconnecting with your senses to ground you in the present moment. Latinx Therapy, a network providing mental health services to the Latine community, highlights the power of engaging with your senses to cultivate mindfulness.

 “Giving gentle attention to one of your five senses while engaging in activities is a powerful way to embrace slow living. Our senses ground us in the present moment. For example, when making a meal, notice the texture, temperature, and weight of what you’re holding. Using sight during a walk or nighttime routine, observe the colors around you. Pausing to breathe helps bring balance and slows down the nervous system.”

Infuse your space with calming scents

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to slow down and create a calming space is through the power of scent. Tyler Aromatherapy believes slow living is rooted in connecting with the present moment, and essential oils have a transformative ability to inspire everyday wellness.

 “This winter, embracing scents like warming Clove, grounding Cedarwood, or uplifting Sweet orange can help align your mood with the season. Diffusing these oils or lighting a candle infused with them creates a sensory experience that encourages mindfulness and a deeper connection with the world around you. It’s a simple yet powerful way to slow down and savor the beauty of the moment.”

 Adding to this sensory experience, Calen Candles explains, “Soy candles are a perfect way to bring warmth and relaxation to your slow-living routine. Lighting a candle invites you to unwind and savor the moment, the gentle glow creating a calm atmosphere. The scents captivate your senses and bring you to quiet mindfulness, cherishing the details that make life enjoyable despite the rush of daily life.”

Find peace in textures and comfort

Transform your space into a peaceful retreat with cozy textures and calming decor. West Path, a sustainable online store of handmade goods, shares how thoughtful design fosters peace at home.

“Slow living at home is encouraged by creating a calm, intentional environment that fosters relaxation and mindfulness. Cozy elements like artwork, Mexican blankets, and candles add warmth and texture, inviting rest and comfort. These blankets not only enhance your space aesthetically but also encourage slow, mindful activities—whether curling up with a book or relaxing yoga. Surrounding yourself with meaningful, tactile items cultivates peace and connection within your home.”

Calm your body with soothing flavors

Experts across the tea industry emphasize tea as a tool for mindfulness and relaxation. The Beauty Tea Company says it best, “A cup of tea has the power to bring us to the present moment, allowing us to feel grounded and at peace.”

 Full Moon Tea Company, based in Asheville, NC, emphasizes how the ritual of loose-leaf tea fosters calm and mindfulness in your routine.. “Steeping and drinking loose leaf tea is a mindful ritual that invites a slower pace into your day. The process of measuring, warming the water, and allowing the leaves to unfurl creates a moment of calm and presence. Each sip encourages you to pause, savor the flavors, and connect with the present moment. It's a perfect way to embrace the art of slow living and find tranquility in the everyday.” 

 Even if you’re not a traditional tea lover, you can still infuse mindfulness into your winter routine by adding simple ingredients to a warm cup of water. Amber Barone, Holistic RN and Functional Medicine Practitioner of Bar1wellness, shares her favorite herb blends. “Simple combinations like rose petals and mint, chamomile and orange peel, or a single cinnamon stick in hot water can have profound effects. These herbal pairs and offerings cue the nervous system into comfort, balance, and peace, honoring the ‘less is more’ adage. This perspective strengthens my appreciation for life’s subtleties, paving the way for greater joy, appreciation, and love.”

5. Connect with your thoughts on paper

Journaling isn’t just for mornings—it can capture mid-day reflections or help you unwind in the evening, deepening your connection to slow living.

 As the Well Being Journal notes, studies show that journaling positively impacts wellbeing. “Reframing and shifting your mindset can contribute to peace of mind and happiness. In the rush of everyday life, we often miss the simple beauty around us – like a tasty meal, a beautiful view, or birds singing on a morning walk. Taking a moment to jot down these observations can enhance the experience and promote living in the moment.”

 Building on the idea of connecting with slow living through your senses, Yop&Tom, a London-based notebook and stationery shop, recognizes how beautifully curated journals can positively influence us to engage in mindfulness. “We believe in the power of journaling and planning to create space for thoughtful living. Using a beautifully designed notebook or planner can help you organize your thoughts, set meaningful goals, and find joy in the slow pace of the season.”

6. Prioritize your health

Slow living is key to healing the body, but stress—whether physical, emotional, or mental—can hinder this process. Mitchell Holistic Health in New York, NY, emphasizes that many health issues are rooted in stress, making it essential to address it for true healing. “The body cannot heal under high levels of stress. Slowing down to cook whole food meals, savor relationships, and focus on sleep are foundational to a healthy life. Although many health concerns are also influenced by other factors, slowing down and dealing with stress is always at the foundation of health.”

London-based yoga teacher Yogibanker helps finance professionals manage stress through yoga and meditation, promoting a slower-paced, healthier lifestyle. “The best way to embrace slow living, in my view, is through mindful walking and eating. These are daily habits, yet we often aren't present while walking—we're focused on our destination—and when eating, we may be distracted by the media or rushing to finish. While these are natural habits, pausing for a moment—waiting patiently at traffic lights, even when there's no danger, or putting down the phone to savor each bite of food or sip of tea or coffee—helps us become fully present and experience life.”

In the broader discussion of tea as a way to embrace slow living, the simple act of enjoying tea also plays a vital role in prioritizing health, thanks to its many benefits to the body and its well-known ability to reduce stress. The Great Mississippi Tea Company, based in Brookhaven, MS, believes that tea is the perfect companion for a slower pace, offering a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect. “From the soothing ritual of steeping leaves to savoring each warm sip, tea encourages mindfulness and presence. It’s a celebration of simplicity—a true comfort in a cup. Preparing a cup of tea is a purposeful act, inviting you to slow down, savor the moment, and embrace life’s quiet joys.”

Embrace slow living this winter

Winter offers a unique chance to embrace a slower, more intentional pace, focusing on what brings us joy and comfort. Elizabeth B. Burton, EdS, NCC, BC-TMH, encapsulates slow living best. “In a culture that values productivity, it’s essential to slow down, rest, and savor life with a child-like sense of wonder. Slowing down gives our soul space to breathe, refueling us for sustainable productivity, as we’re refreshed and ready to work, serve, and love. Give yourself permission to slow down and notice how you feel on a soul level. Practice this by taking a few minutes to notice beauty, practice gratitude, and be rejuvenated.”

The Entrepreneur Trap: Designing a Business That Supports Your Life

Justin Welch once said, "The happiest entrepreneurs I know aren't the richest. They're the ones who built a business that complements their lives rather than consuming it." This statement resonates deeply with many of us who have ventured into entrepreneurship, only to find ourselves ensnared in a trap of our own making. The entrepreneur trap is the misconception that success is measured solely by revenue. In reality, true success lies in the freedom and fulfillment that comes from designing a business that supports your life.

Design Your Business to Support Your Life

1. Work When You're Most Productive Understanding your natural rhythms and working during your peak productivity times can make a world of difference. Some people are morning larks, while others are night owls. Identify when you are most focused and energetic, and schedule your most important tasks during those periods. This not only boosts efficiency but also ensures that you have time for other important aspects of your life.

2. Pursue a Mission That Inspires You Building a business around a mission that truly inspires you is crucial. When your work aligns with your passions and values, it becomes more than just a job; it becomes a source of motivation and satisfaction. This intrinsic motivation can carry you through the inevitable challenges and setbacks that come with entrepreneurship.

3. Automate or Delegate the Rest To prevent your business from consuming your life, it's essential to automate or delegate tasks that don't require your personal touch. Leveraging technology for automation can streamline repetitive processes, while delegating tasks to competent team members or freelancers can free up your time for strategic planning and personal pursuits.

Success Is About Freedom and Fulfillment

Success is often measured in terms of revenue and profit margins, but true success is much broader. It encompasses the freedom to live life on your terms and the fulfillment that comes from achieving personal and professional goals. Here are some key elements to consider:

1. Work-Life Balance Achieving a healthy work-life balance is vital for long-term success and happiness. This means setting boundaries between work and personal life, ensuring you have time to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones.

2. Financial Freedom While financial success is important, it's not the only metric that matters. Financial freedom is about having enough to support your desired lifestyle without constant stress and worry. It's about making smart financial decisions that allow you to enjoy life now, not just in the distant future.

3. Personal Fulfillment Personal fulfillment comes from pursuing passions, nurturing relationships, and making a positive impact on the world. It's about feeling a sense of purpose and satisfaction in your daily activities, both in and out of the business.

In the pursuit of entrepreneurial success, it's easy to fall into the trap of equating revenue with happiness. However, the happiest entrepreneurs are those who design their businesses to complement their lives rather than consume them. By working during your most productive times, pursuing an inspiring mission, and automating or delegating the rest, you can create a business that supports your life and brings true success in the form of freedom and fulfillment.

Beyond Labels: How Being Multifaceted Leads to True Success

Labels can limit potential and creativity. As someone who has always taken a somewhat unconventional path, I find the term “unorthodox” not just fitting, but empowering. That’s how The UnOrthoDoc was born—a reflection of my multifaceted life that defies simple categorization.

The Trap of Specialization

We’re often told to specialize. Get an expensive degree, secure a niche job, and stick to it for decades. While this worked in the past, the modern world demands adaptability and a broad skill set. In today’s tech-driven society, being a specialist can sometimes mean limiting your growth and opportunities. AI and automation are rapidly changing the job market, and those with narrow expertise may find themselves left behind. I say this as a specialist myself—an orthodontist, a specialty of dentistry. I get that this is contradictory. I suppose I am a walking contradiction.

Why Generalists Thrive

Being a generalist isn’t just a survival strategy; it’s a way to thrive. By embracing a wide range of skills and interests, we become more adaptable and resilient. This approach has allowed me to wear many hats—orthodontist, entrepreneur, blogger, chandler (candle maker), community builder, etc.

1. Orthodontist: I run my own practice, providing specialized care to my patients.

2. Entrepreneur: I founded Infinity Orthodontics, UnOrthoDoc Candle Co., combining my love for scented candles, creativity with business acumen, an aesthetic suite and even The Unorthodoc - this blog has turned into a small business over the years.

3. Blogger: Through my blog, The UnOrthoDoc, I share insights and stories that inspire and inform.

4. Community Builder: With The Climb, I’ve created a space where like-minded individuals can come together to learn and grow.

Embracing Contradictions

Life is full of contradictions, and that’s what makes it interesting. I juggle professional responsibilities with personal passions. I strive for a balanced lifestyle while diving deep into my work. I enjoy healthy living but don’t shy away from indulgent treats. These contradictions are not weaknesses but strengths that make me unique and adaptable.

Breaking Free from Labels

Labels can confine us. They attempt to define who we are based on limited perspectives. But life isn’t black and white, and neither are we. By rejecting these labels, we open ourselves up to endless possibilities.

For instance, people might see me as just an orthodontist, but my life encompasses much more. I manage and run the operations of businesses, build websites and landing pages, write copy, write eBooks, send newsletters and marketing emails, do accounting for the businesses (except my Ortho practice), run a book club, teach courses, hire freelancers, run a private community, do procurement, manage multiple social media accounts, and engage in various creative projects. Each of these roles adds value to my life and work, making me truly undefinable.

The Power of Storytelling

Instead of letting labels define us, we should let our stories do the talking. Our journeys, filled with challenges, failures, and successes, shape who we are. Sharing these stories not only helps others understand us better but also empowers us to take control of our narrative.

The UnOrthoDoc: A Reflection of My Journey

The name “UnOrthoDoc” embodies my approach to life and work. It represents breaking free from conventional expectations and embracing a broader, more inclusive view of success. It’s about being true to oneself and finding harmony in the chaos of diverse roles and responsibilities.

Building a Multifaceted Life

Here are some key principles that guide my unorthodox journey:

1. Continuous Learning: Every year, I acquire new skills and knowledge. This not only keeps me relevant but also fuels my passion for growth.

2. Flexibility: A flexible mindset allows me to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.

3. Delegation: Understanding that I can’t do everything myself, I delegate tasks to others, enabling me to focus on what truly matters.

4. Planning: Whether it’s setting long-term goals or managing daily tasks, planning is crucial for maintaining balance.

5. Community: Building and nurturing a supportive community through The Climb has been instrumental in my journey.

Final Thoughts

Being undefinable is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. It’s about rejecting limiting labels and embracing the full spectrum of who we are. It’s a silent rebellion against conventional expectations and a testament to the power of versatility.

So, dare to be unorthodox. Embrace your contradictions. Reject the labels and tell your own story. By doing so, you’ll not only carve out a unique path for yourself but also inspire others to do the same.

Stay curious, stay versatile, and most importantly, stay true to yourself.

Slowing Down: The Secret to a Fulfilled Life

I wanted to share something that's been on my mind lately. You know, we're often caught up in the whirlwind of life—rushing from one task to another, ticking off endless to-do lists, and constantly striving for more. We live in a world that glorifies hustle culture, where busyness is worn like a badge of honor and productivity is often seen as the ultimate goal. But have you ever stopped to wonder if this relentless pace is really serving us?

I've been reflecting on this a lot, and I've come to realize that the hustle culture we've been conditioned to embrace might actually be doing us more harm than good. It's time we consider the profound benefits of slowing down.

The Case Against Hustle Culture

Hustle culture promises success, wealth, and a sense of accomplishment. But at what cost? Burnout, stress, and a constant feeling of inadequacy are often the byproducts of this lifestyle. We chase after goals and milestones, yet we often miss out on the simple joys that life has to offer. The truth is, the constant grind can often times leave us feeling empty and disconnected.

Hustle culture never served us because it prioritizes output over well-being, speed over quality, and achievement over fulfillment. It tells us that we are never enough, that we must always be doing more, achieving more. But life isn't a race; it's a journey meant to be savored.

The Profound Benefits of Slowing Down

So, why should we slow down? The benefits are both profound and deeply rewarding. Slowing down allows us to truly live, to experience the fullness of life in all its beauty and richness.

1. Rediscovering Joy in the Simple Things: When we slow down, we begin to notice and appreciate the little things that we often take for granted. The warmth of the morning sun, the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, or the comforting rhythm of rain against the window. These moments, though small, add up to create a life filled with joy and contentment.

2. Deepening Relationships: Slowing down gives us the time and space to nurture our relationships. We can engage in meaningful conversations, share unhurried meals, and create lasting memories with our loved ones. It's in these moments of connection that we find true happiness and fulfillment.

3. Improving Mental and Physical Health: A slower pace can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, leading to better mental health. It allows our bodies to rest and rejuvenate, improving our overall well-being. We become more attuned to our needs and can make healthier choices for ourselves.

4. Enhancing Creativity and Productivity: Paradoxically, slowing down can actually boost our creativity and productivity. When we're not constantly rushing, our minds have the space to wander, to dream, and to come up with innovative ideas. We become more focused and effective in our tasks, producing higher-quality work.

Embracing the Fullness of Life

Slowing down helps us to embrace the fullness of life. It invites us to be present in the moment, to savor each experience, and to find beauty in the ordinary. It's about taking a step back from the chaos and finding peace in the stillness.

Imagine starting your day with a slow, mindful morning. Sipping your tea or coffee without rushing, feeling the warmth of the cup in your hands, and taking a moment to set your intentions for the day. Or taking a leisurely walk in the garden/backyard, breathing in the fresh air, and marveling at the vibrant colors of the flowers. These simple acts can bring immense joy and a sense of peace.

How to Slow Down

Slowing down doesn't mean abandoning your responsibilities or giving up on your dreams. It's about finding a balance that allows you to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Here are a few tips to help you slow down (and ones I’m implementing for myself as well):

1. Prioritize What's Truly Important: Identify what matters most to you and focus your energy on those things. Let go of the unnecessary tasks and commitments that drain your time and energy.

2. Create Rituals and Routines: Establishing simple daily rituals, like a morning meditation or an evening walk, can help you find moments of calm amidst the busyness.

3. Practice Mindfulness: Being mindful means being fully present in the moment. Engage in activities that ground you, such as yoga, meditation, or simply taking deep breaths throughout the day.

4. Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to things that don't align with your values or priorities. Protect your time and energy by setting clear boundaries.

5. Take Breaks: Allow yourself regular breaks throughout the day. Step away from your work, stretch, and recharge.

6. Reconnect with Nature: Spend time outdoors, whether it's a walk in the park or a hike in the mountains. Nature has a way of calming our minds and rejuvenating our spirits.

Trusting the Process

As we navigate this journey of slowing down, it's important to trust the process. Each phase of life brings new experiences and challenges, and it's okay to reevaluate our priorities and make changes along the way. For me, this has meant contemplating the idea of becoming a stay-at-home mom (perhaps part time), or even considering semi-retirement like my husband. It's a lot to think about, but I'm taking it day by day and trusting that God will guide me in the right direction.

In slowing down, we open ourselves up to a richer, more meaningful life. We find joy in the little things, deepen our relationships, and discover a sense of peace and contentment that hustle culture could never provide. So, let's embrace the art of slowing down and savor each moment of this beautiful journey called life.

5 Tips for Scaling Your Side Hustle into a Successful Enterprise

A guest post by: Myrtle Bautista

With the gig economy booming and traditional employment models evolving, side hustles have become a lifeline for many individuals seeking financial security and professional fulfillment. From freelance writing and e-commerce ventures to consulting gigs and creative pursuits, there's no shortage of opportunities to turn your skills and passions into profitable ventures on the side.

But while starting a side hustle is relatively easy, scaling it into a thriving business requires a whole new level of dedication, strategy, and vision. As your side hustle gains traction and momentum, you'll inevitably face the question: "How can I take this to the next level? How do I turn my side gig into a full-blown thriving business?"

In this article, we'll explore the answers to these questions, diving deep into the art of scaling your side hustle into a flourishing enterprise while maintaining an impressive work-life balance. 

1. Define Your Vision

First things first, you need to have a crystal-clear vision of what you want your business to become. Defining your vision is not just about setting arbitrary goals. It's about crafting a compelling narrative that inspires you and your stakeholders. Consider conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to gain a better understanding of your business's current position and future prospects. This analysis can help you identify areas of improvement and potential growth opportunities.

Furthermore, think about the impact you want your business to have beyond just financial success. Are you passionate about environmental sustainability? Social justice? Community empowerment? Integrating your values into your business model can help differentiate you from competitors and attract like-minded customers.

2. Build a Solid Foundation

Every successful business is built on a sturdy foundation. As you work on scaling your side hustle, it's crucial to lay down the groundwork for sustainable growth. Here are some essential steps:

• Legal and Financial Setup: Register your business, obtain the necessary licenses, and set up a separate bank account. Consider consulting with a lawyer or accountant to ensure compliance and financial stability.

• Branding and Identity: Develop a strong brand identity that resonates with your target audience. Allocate resources towards professional logo design, website development, and cohesive branding components.

• Systems and Processes: Optimize your operations by introducing streamlined systems and processes. This could include project management tools, invoicing software, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

Additionally, prioritize building a diverse and talented team that shares your vision and values. As you progress, connect with peers, mentors, and advisers who can provide direction and encouragement. Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning to drive innovation and excellence within your organization.

If your side hustle operates as a remote business, finding the right coworking space becomes increasingly important for maintaining productivity and fostering connections. Even when traveling, you should seek out coworking spaces that offer networking opportunities, like spaces that host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions where you can connect with other remote professionals and exchange ideas.

3. Focus on Customer Satisfaction

Your customers are the lifeblood of your business. As you scale up, don’t lose sight of the importance of customer satisfaction. Here are some tips to keep your customers coming back for more:

• Personalized Service: Get to know your customers personally and tailor your offerings to meet their unique needs. Show genuine appreciation for their business and go the extra mile to exceed their expectations.

• Feedback Loop: Value customer feedback and apply it to enhance your products and services. Whether through surveys, reviews, or direct communication, listen attentively to what your customers have to say.

• Exceptional Support: Provide prompt and helpful customer support to address any issues or concerns. Invest in training your team members to deliver exceptional service and resolve problems effectively.

4. Embrace Innovation

Innovation is key to staying ahead of the curve, but it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Create a culture of innovation by encouraging experimentation, collaboration, and risk-taking. Dedicate time and resources for research and development to explore new ideas and technologies. Here are some more ways you can foster innovation within your business:

• Stay Curious: Keep learning and exploring new growth opportunities. Attend industry conferences, read books and articles, and network with other entrepreneurs to gain fresh perspectives and insights.

• Experimentation: Take calculated risks and try out new strategies. Whether it's launching a new product line, entering a new market, or experimenting with digital marketing tactics, embrace the spirit of experimentation.

• Collaboration: Collaborate with like-minded individuals, businesses, or organizations to foster innovation and drive mutual success. By pooling resources and expertise, you can achieve more together than you could alone.

5. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Cultivating a growth mindset is essential for navigating the inevitable challenges and setbacks that come with scaling a business. Join networking groups, attend industry events, and seek educational opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Instead of viewing failures as roadblocks, see them as opportunities for learning and growth. Celebrate your successes, but also be willing to pivot and adapt when things don't go as planned.

Final Word

Scaling your side hustle into a thriving business is no small feat. But with the right mindset, strategies, and dedication, it is entirely within your reach. By following the principles in this article and staying true to your passion, you'll be well on your way to transforming your side gig into the business of your dreams.

About the Author:

Myrtle is a journalism major, a social media marketer and is now exploring freelance writing. She's fond of anything related to health and wellness, and when she's not writing, you'll find her doing long-distance cycling, ultramarathons, hiking, or in a local cafe enjoying a good cold brew

Silent Ambition: Let Your Success Speak Louder Than Your Words

Once, I excitedly shared a promising business idea with a colleague, hoping to team up and bring it to life together. Instead of collaboration, I received a polite decline. Months later, I was taken aback to discover that my colleague had launched a business—selling the very idea I had shared with her.

In a world where oversharing is the norm, where every meal and milestone is broadcasted on social media, it may seem counterintuitive to keep your ambitions under wraps. But in reality, there's immense power in working quietly and letting your success make the noise.

Preserving your energy is paramount when pursuing your goals. By keeping your ambitions close to your chest, you shield them from the draining effects of external opinions and judgments. Rather than expending energy defending or explaining your vision, you can channel it into the actual work itself.

Moreover, working in secrecy helps you avoid the pitfalls of unwanted criticism. Not everyone will understand or support your vision, and their doubts can infiltrate your psyche if you're not careful. By toiling away in silence, you give yourself the time and space to build a strong foundation. When you eventually unveil your successful product or business, it becomes much harder for detractors to cast doubt on your idea.

Secrecy also fosters genuine passion. Free from the need for external validation, you can cultivate intrinsic motivation for your goals. Working diligently in the shadows allows your passion to flourish without the distractions of seeking approval.

Furthermore, keeping your ambitions private helps you evade unnecessary competition. A brilliant idea can attract copycats, but by maintaining confidentiality until you're ready to launch, you can prevent unwanted rivals from stealing your thunder.

Strategic timing is another advantage of working in silence. Surprise can catch competitors off guard, giving you a crucial edge in the marketplace. As Sun Tzu famously said, "Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt." By keeping your plans under wraps, you retain control over timing and maximize the impact of your reveal.

Flexibility and independence are also key benefits of maintaining secrecy. Plans rarely unfold without hiccups, and by keeping your strategy private, you have the freedom to pivot and adjust without the pressure of external expectations.

In conclusion, there's a unique power that comes from working in silence, away from the spotlight. Let success be your loudest statement, and when you achieve your goals, your accomplishments will speak volumes—far louder than words ever could. So, the next time you're tempted to share a brilliant idea with the world, remember the strength of silent ambition and let success do the talking.

Designing Your Life with Purpose and Freedom

We often equate success with material wealth and possessions. It's easy to get caught up in the rat race of accumulation, especially here in the US. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder in a 9-5 job or running your own business, the pressure to chase after money and status can feel overwhelming. However, there's a different approach—one that prioritizes intentional living and designing your life around what truly matters.

Intentional living is about aligning your actions and choices with your values and goals, rather than simply going through the motions dictated by societal norms or external expectations. It's about consciously crafting a life that brings you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose, regardless of your financial situation or professional aspirations.

For those in a traditional 9-5 job, intentional living begins with a shift in mindset. Yes, it's important to invest wisely, save money for the future, and plan for financial security. However, true wealth is not measured solely by the size of your bank account or the number of possessions you own ( I know deep down you already know this). Instead of chasing after material wealth, focus on cultivating richness in experiences, relationships, and personal growth.

One key aspect of intentional living is redefining the purpose of work. Instead of viewing your job as a means to an end—a way to earn a paycheck so you can afford a lifestyle—consider how your work can contribute to your overall well-being and happiness. Rather than striving for a higher salary or a corner office, prioritize work that aligns with your values and allows you to make a meaningful impact in your community and/or the world.

For entrepreneurs and business owners, the principles of intentional living apply equally—if not more so. While it's natural to have financial goals and aspirations for your business, it's essential to remember that the purpose of entrepreneurship extends far beyond profit and wealth accumulation. Instead of chasing after luxuries like yachts or multiple vacation homes (even though nothing is wrong with that), focus on designing a business that provides you with the freedom to live life on your own terms.

This means starting with a lifestyle design goal rather than a revenue target. Ask yourself: What kind of life do I want to live? What activities bring me joy and fulfillment? How can my business support and enhance my desired lifestyle? By answering these questions, you can create a clear vision for the kind of life you want to lead and then reverse-engineer your business goals to align with that vision.

In practical terms, this might mean prioritizing time over money, building a business that allows you to work remotely or on a flexible schedule, and outsourcing tasks that don't align with your core strengths or bring you joy. It might mean setting boundaries around your work hours to ensure a healthy work-life balance, or investing in experiences like travel, personal development, or quality time with loved ones.

Ultimately, intentional living is about taking ownership of your life and intentionally designing it in a way that brings you fulfillment, freedom, and joy. It's about recognizing that true wealth is measured not by the size of your bank account, but by the richness of your experiences and the depth of your connections. By embracing intentional living, you can create a life that is authentically yours—one that reflects your values, passions, and purpose.

Why I Have a Weekly family Business Meeting

In the bustle of modern life, finding a delicate balance between work and family can be akin to walking a tightrope. As an orthodontist and practice owner alongside my husband, a general dentist, with a lively two-year-old in tow, life is a constant juggling act. Amidst the myriad responsibilities, we've found a beacon of organization and harmony in an unexpected place: the weekly family business meeting.

The Family as a Business: Strategy and Regular Check-ins

Our family, much like a business, requires strategic planning and, most importantly, regular check-ins. The weekly family business meeting has become our compass, guiding us through the maze of tasks, appointments, and familial responsibilities. It's a designated time to synchronize our calendars, discuss the upcoming week's events, and ensure we're all on the same page.

Balancing Act: Work-Life Harmony

Maintaining a harmonious equilibrium between our professional and personal lives is no small feat. The family business meeting allows us to recalibrate, ensuring neither work nor family takes an undue toll. It's a deliberate effort to strike a balance, acknowledging that the success of our family is intrinsically linked to the success of our professional endeavors.

Delegating: The Art of Sharing Responsibilities

One of the key lessons learned through these meetings is the art of delegation. Recognizing that we can't do it all, we've embraced the support of hired help, whether it’s a family member, a nanny, a housekeeper to keep our home in order, and occasional babysitters for those rare moments of solitude. Delegating tasks allows us to focus on what truly matters: the well-being of our family and the success of our practices.

Roles and Responsibilities: Creating Order in Chaos

Assigning roles within the household, devoid of rigid gender stereotypes, has been pivotal. Everyone, regardless of age, has a part to play. Whether it's ensuring the toys are picked up, organizing family outings, or managing the household finances, having defined roles instills a sense of order and responsibility.

Proper Planning: A Pillar of Success

In the world of dentistry, proper planning is the linchpin of success. The same principle applies at home. Our family business meetings delve into long-term planning—financial goals, vacations, and even the occasional date night. This foresight allows us to anticipate challenges and celebrate victories together.

Conclusion: Nurturing the Dual Identity

As the dual identity of a dental power couple and a loving family intertwines, our weekly family business meetings serve as the crucible where the alchemy of strategy, communication, and love transpires. It's our commitment to ensuring that the tapestry of our lives, woven with professional and familial threads, remains resilient, vibrant, and harmonious. In the symphony of our existence, the family business meeting is the conductor that orchestrates a melodious rhythm, blending the diverse notes of our lives into a harmonious tune.

23 Goals for 2023 End of year Check-In

"Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true." — Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens

As this year comes to a close, I find myself revisiting the 23 goals I set for myself in my "23 Goals for 2023" blog post at the beginning of this year. Along the way, I provided a mid-year check-in to update you on my progress, and here we are now, at the end-of-year check-in, evaluating how far I've come and what I've achieved.

2023 turned out to be more challenging than I anticipated. While I didn't quite accomplish all 23 goals I set, I managed to achieve the more meaningful ones. As the year unfolded, I had to prioritize certain things over others. It's been a year of growth, of learning to appreciate the small things, and understanding the true essence of wealth – family, health, and simple moments of joy.

1. Read at least 23 books in 2023: While I fell short of this goal by only three books, considering where I was six months ago, I'm content with my progress. I read 20 books this year. You can see all the books I read this year here - consider joining my book club so we can read together each month.

2. Commit to working out 2-3 times per week: Scheduling workouts became a challenge, but it's an area I plan to improve upon.

3. Run a 10K: Unfortunately, this didn't happen, but it's on the list for 2024.

4. Maintain a 7-figure practice/business: My practice sustained its status, despite not experiencing the growth I anticipated. Nevertheless, I found different kinds of growth, not just financial.

5. Re-commit to date night with my husband once per week: Though not every week, my husband and I found other ways to stay connected, making our bond stronger.

6. Schedule a CEO day once per month: While I faced difficulty sticking to this, I acknowledge the importance of these days.

7. Go to church at least one Sunday per month: My spiritual growth was a highlight of the year, attending regularly (not just on Sundays) and deepening my faith.

8. Complete the Wharton Masters Business of Orthodontics-AAO Program: Completed, although its direct impact is yet to be seen.

9. Be more active on the Board of the DC Dental Society: Actively engaged throughout the year and plan to continue for 2024.

10. Drink more water (4-6 cups/day): Continual progress in this area. I have found keeping a bottle of water near at all times increases the chance of drinking more regularly. Example: a glass/bottle on the bedside table.

11. Increase my blogging & candle company income: Notably, my blogging income saw tremendous growth.

12. Do one family/kid-friendly activity per week(end): Managed to fulfill this, enriching family life which was of great importance to me this year.

13. Spend 1000 hours outdoors: A rough estimate, but we did spend ample time in nature.

14. Try a new restaurant every month: The adventure of exploring new cuisines continued, although this did not happen every month.

15. Find ways to give back to my community: Planning for increased involvement in 2024 both locally and overseas.

16. Do continuing education (CEs) once per month: Completed at least 30 hours of CE this year.

17. One spa day per month (self-care): Regular self-care days, although slightly less frequent than planned.

18. Book at least four trips and two "real" vacations: Unfortunately, some trips didn't materialize.

19. Gain a new skill: Personal growth achieved through acquiring new skills mostly in my professional life.

20. Get more sleep: Conscious efforts made towards better rest. I plan to track this next year,

21. Pay off debt: Substantial progress in financial discipline made.

22. Learn one new recipe every month: This fell by the wayside, reconsidering for the next year.

23. Shop with more small businesses: Continued support for local and small businesses.

Reflecting on this year, while it was not without challenges, I'm grateful for the lessons learned and the progress made. My appreciation for life's simple joys has grown immensely. As I enter a new year, I carry forward these lessons and focus on what truly matters.

Thank you for being a part of my journey. Let's continue to inspire each other as we navigate the path of personal growth and self-improvement. What are your goals for the upcoming year? Let's embark on this journey together, encouraging and supporting one another along the way. Cheers to new beginnings and the promise of a fresh start!

Books I Read In 2023

As an enthusiastic reader, diving into a captivating book brings me immense joy. The act of losing oneself within the pages of a book offers relaxation and a myriad of benefits, such as expanding knowledge, enhancing brain function, improving focus and memory, providing entertainment, fostering empathy, refining communication skills, and reducing stress – among other positive impacts that extend to mental health and longevity.

In the span of 2023, I set out to conquer the challenge of reading 23 books. Admittedly, my life has taken on a different pace this year, juggling responsibilities as a mother and a business/practice owner. Despite the time constraints, I'm thrilled to share that I delved into 20 books this year, with 12 of them shared within the context of my book club. Navigating this busy schedule, I found solace in audiobooks – an aspect that enriched my reading experience in unexpected ways. Embracing audiobooks became a game-changer; they allowed me to multitask, enabling me to engage with books while carrying out various activities throughout the day. The flexibility and convenience they offer are truly remarkable.

Reflecting on the past year's literary journey, I ventured through a diverse collection of books that expanded my horizons. Some were in physical form, while others were enjoyed through the auditory delight of audiobooks, courtesy of platforms like Audible. The experience with audiobooks unveiled a new realm of possibilities in balancing daily routines with the pleasure of reading. As I transition into 2024, I invite those seeking to cultivate a reading habit to join my book club as we embark on a new chapter of literary exploration together. Let's delve into the world of books, share thoughts, and expand our literary landscape. As a recap here are the books I read in 2022 and the one i read in 2021. Below are he books I read in 2023:

I hope to see you in the book club!

You will receive an email from me every month with the book of the month and will be discussing the books in our community, The Climb.

Discovering True Wealth: The New Rich

In a world often measured by financial wealth, the concept of true richness extends beyond bank accounts and possessions. It’s about acknowledging the overlooked treasures that enrich our lives, nurturing our spirits and granting us a sense of fulfillment. Welcome to "The New Rich," where abundance transcends monetary figures and instead resides in the simple yet profound aspects of existence.

What if our genuine wealth is rooted in the things we often take for granted? Imagine waking up to a sunrise, feeling the gentle morning breeze, or savoring the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. These simple pleasures, often overlooked in the rush of daily life, compose the fabric of true richness. It's about relishing the unhurried moments that embrace our souls, granting us a profound sense of fulfillment.

"The New Rich" isn't solely about financial affluence but encompasses the freedom to craft a life aligned with our values. It’s about having enough to meet our needs without drowning in overindulgences. This paradigm shift reflects a life where time is our true luxury – a life where slow mornings and the liberty to pursue our passions take precedence over the relentless pursuit of material wealth.

Moreover, this newfound wealth isn’t just about financial resources; it’s about time freedom. It's about listening to our bodies and honoring our need for rest or leisure without feeling enslaved by the traditional rat race. The true richness lies in having the autonomy to choose, to create, and to live life on our own terms.

True wealth isn’t always tangible; it resides in the intangible moments that fill our hearts. It’s the joy of spending quality time with loved ones, the satisfaction derived from pursuing our passions, and the inner peace that comes with living authentically. It’s about creating a life that resonates with purpose, finding contentment in the present, and relishing the freedom to be exactly who we are.

Let’s redefine wealth, embracing "The New Rich" that honors the richness within – the treasure trove of moments, experiences, and connections that fill our lives with meaning and abundance. Because in the end, true richness isn’t measured by what we have, but by the richness we bring into each moment, nurturing our souls and embracing the beauty of life itself.

Embracing Life's Changing Seasons

Life is an intriguing journey, a winding path that takes us through various stages, each molding our priorities and reshaping our perspectives. As I reflect on my own journey, I've come to realize that our priorities are ever-shifting, mirroring the different chapters of our lives.

In my early twenties, my fervent aspiration was to become an orthodontist. The drive for success and ambition surged within me, propelling me toward my professional goals. I dedicated tireless hours to study, embracing every opportunity to advance my career. At that time, my priority was crystal clear – establishing myself in my chosen field and achieving financial independence.

As my late twenties unfolded into the early thirties, my focus shifted gears. I found myself immersed in building my career, relishing in accomplishments and accolades. Practice ownership brought a sense of fulfillment, and the pursuit of success seemed paramount. Yet, life had a way of nudging me toward a new perspective.

Marriage blessed my life with depth and richness beyond measure. The birth of our son became a pivotal moment, ushering in a profound reevaluation of priorities. Parenthood illuminated the need for a balanced life, emphasizing the importance of family time over climbing the corporate ladder. It's an ongoing transformation, a transition that continues to shape my outlook on life.

Children bring an unparalleled sense of purpose, stirring a desire for stability and security. The focus shifted from scaling the corporate ladder to cultivating a nurturing home environment. The need for financial stability became less about accumulating wealth and more about securing a foundation for the future, ensuring we have the resources we need to thrive.

As our son grows, I've come to appreciate the transient nature of time. Priorities shift from nurturing and guiding him to fostering independence, recognizing that each phase of his life will bring new challenges and joys. And with this realization comes the understanding that our family's priorities will continue to evolve.

Entering the late 30s has prompted introspection into the passage of time. It's a reminder that as we grow older, our priorities will undoubtedly undergo further transformation. The pursuit of success has taken a backseat, making way for a more balanced life filled with meaningful connections and experiences.

The awareness that change is inevitable prompts contemplation about the future. As our son matures and navigates his path, our roles as parents will evolve, presenting new priorities and challenges. It's a realization that life's stages will continue to shape our aspirations, leading us towards different goals and perspectives.

In this phase of life, I recognize that while certain priorities have crystallized, the journey is far from over. The wisdom that comes with age teaches us to embrace change, to anticipate the future with open arms, and to find solace in the evolving dynamics of life.

The evolution of priorities isn't merely a chronological sequence; it's a profound journey of self-discovery and growth. It's about embracing the ebb and flow of life's chapters, understanding that each phase brings its own set of lessons and treasures.

This introspection begs the question: Are our priorities a reflection of societal expectations or a manifestation of our deepest desires? Perhaps it's a delicate blend of both, intertwined with our evolving perspectives and life experiences.

In the end, the pursuit of happiness isn't a destination but an ongoing exploration, a delicate dance between what we desire and what life unveils. It's about acknowledging the transient nature of priorities, embracing change, and finding harmony amidst life's beautiful complexities.