Michelle T.
Photo provided by Michelle T.
If you’re reading this, there is a time and season for everything.
And it’s okay to slow down and live in the present.
We often forget that slowing down is not the same thing as falling behind. Sometimes it is the only way to remember who we are underneath the noise. Thinking about what’s ahead doesn’t mean your present has to be perfect. You are allowed to dream. You are allowed to hope for the life you are building. And you are allowed to still be growing, healing, and becoming, even in an in-between season.
Sometimes a door closes, not because you are unworthy, but because it simply wasn’t the right story for you. What feels like the worst moment can quietly become the beginning of a bigger journey you could not see yet.
We spend so much time comparing our timing to everyone else’s. We assume we are late or behind or missing something everyone else seems to have figured out. But life is not happening in the “what ifs.” It is happening right now, in the small and steady things we overlook because they feel too ordinary to matter.
You deserve to slow down enough to notice the little anchors that keep you going, the first sip of coffee that settles your mind, the song that lifts your mood, the people who bring laughter back into your body, the workout that reminds you of your strength, the hobbies that make you feel like yourself again.
None of these things are small. They are reminders that even when things are uncertain or imperfect, you are still living, still moving, still becoming. These moments are the proof that your life is happening now. Not later. Not only when everything is perfect. But right here, in the middle of all you are carrying.
There is a time and season for everything. Some seasons stretch you. Some soften you. Some uproot you. Some rebuild you. And each one is shaping you into someone stronger, more grounded, and more open to what is meant for you.
It is okay to slow down.
It is okay to take a breath.
It is okay to be here, fully and honestly.
Your life is unfolding, even when it does not feel like it.
And the present, just as it is, is enough.
Michelle T., Fourth Year Medical Student
Q: How do you cope with the stressors of The Match?
A: The Match can be stressful, but I remind myself not to let it overshadow the years of hard work that brought me here. I try to stay present and focus on what I can control each day. Staying connected with friends and family keeps me grounded, and I take a few minutes daily to reflect and make sure I am aligned with my goals. I also give myself small intentional breaks, whether that is baking, going for a walk or to the gym, or stepping away for a coffee, because those moments help me reset and show up as my best self.
Q: What advice do you have for incoming medical students regarding mental wellness?
A: My advice is to allow yourself to be human. When you begin medical school, it really does feel like drinking from a fire hose, but it is important not to lose who you are in the middle of that intensity. This can be one of the busiest times in your life, and it is easy to get caught up in constant pressure, but none of it matters if you are not staying true to yourself. Build small routines that keep you steady, stay close to friends and family who support you, and take a few minutes each day to reflect and check in with yourself. These simple habits help you stay connected to your purpose and keep your sense of self through the journey.
Q: Is there a mental health or mental wellness experience that led you to pursue medicine?
A: My interest in medicine is deeply rooted in growing up with my dad as he faced his own mental health challenges. From a young age I saw how much it meant when someone felt truly heard, supported, and not alone, and it shaped the way I learned to show up for people. I found myself wanting to understand others, to offer comfort, and to walk alongside them through whatever they were carrying. That experience is a big part of why I pursue medicine today. If I can make a meaningful difference in even one person’s journey, then all of it is worth it. It is a true privilege to be trusted with someone’s health and their story, and I am genuinely grateful for the chance to be part of that.
Several studies have revealed that medical students, physicians, and healthcare professionals experience mental health symptoms at rates significantly higher than the general population. Stethos[Cope] is a chapter of IfYoureReadingThis designed to help medical students and professionals cope with the unique stressors of medical training and change the narrative of mental health in medicine.
To read more letters and interviews from students, and to learn more about mental health in the medical community, visit the Stethos[Cope] home page.