Member-only story
Back to Reality
Finding Joy After Holiday Blues
Sitting here in the staff room at 5:30 AM, with my coffee still hot in my hands, I notice how everything seems different after the holidays. The hospital has this peculiar smell of antiseptic mixed with coffee — a scent that has been part of my life for so long, but today feels especially intense. Maybe it’s because I spent the last two weeks surrounded by aromas of cinnamon, roasted turkey, and hot chocolate.
Have you ever stopped to think about how strange this contrast is? In December, we’re all immersed in a world of twinkling lights, warm hugs, and abundant feasts. Then January arrives like a loud alarm clock on a Wednesday morning. Brutal, isn’t it? But let me tell you a secret: this reality check might be exactly what we need.
While adjusting my uniform and tying back my hair for another shift, I reflect on the dozens of “new year, new life” messages that flooded my phone. Isn’t it ironic how everyone seems to have the same resolutions every January? Losing weight, saving money, being healthier… But here, between the hospital walls, reality is different. Life and death don’t pause for holidays or New Year’s resolutions.
As a nurse, I have a unique privilege: I see life in its rawest, most authentic form. I see people facing their most vulnerable moments, and you know what’s most…
