Why a blog? Why not!

I'm affectionately calling 2022 my "mid-career crisis" but I mean it in the most positive way a crisis can be seen. Rather than being a full-time employee as a veterinarian, I'm dipping my toes into the world of relief work and am working for multiple small animal practices, continuing to vet endurance rides, and exploring what I want the next 20+ years of my career to look like, be it clinical or non-clinical, equine or small animal, ownership or large company: so many options!

So, as a result, I've spent a little more time behind the keyboard, and find it to be a wonderful creative outlet that exercises parts of my brain that tend to get a little stiff and irritable when I stick to the science and facts of my day-to-day life. Why commit to a blog that people may or may not read? Simple: structure and a personal commitment. I crave routine and structure, and if I'm going to write regularly, it might as well be put out for all the world to see. Sharing our stories is one way to grow community and understanding of others.

A quick look inside my hyperactive mind will show a conglomeration of thoughts on animals, parenting, veterinary medicine, coffee, running and walking, wine, friendship, chips and salsa, nature, clutter and minimalism, and so on......I'm not quite sure what direction my posts will go, and I'm quite OK with that. It has been freeing for a Type A, control freak personality to embrace the flexibility and change that comes with my current work schedule, and I'm trying to enjoy it, rather than panic and head back into rigidity!

"Slowing down...." is inspired by my need to catch my breath and think, rather than remaining in a state of rushing and reactivity. One of my favorite phrases is "slow down to speed up," or in carpentry-speak "measure twice, cut once." Getting things right before focusing on speed is needed in so many different aspects of life.

My goal is to post once weekly, but as I stated above, flexibility is key - there will probably be some weeks where life gets in the way, and others where I have far too much to say. Please feel free to reach out with feedback, comments, or questions.