Is it just me, or does the summer trimester feel like it flies by faster than any other? One moment I鈥檓 registering for classes and the next I鈥檓 halfway through finals prep, wondering how the weeks disappeared. It鈥檚 already a hectic time with the accelerated pace, but for me, this summer has been extra full between keeping up with classes, clinical hours and planning a wedding, I feel like I鈥檝e barely come up for air.
A Balancing Act
Balancing school and wedding planning has been a whole new lesson in yin and yang. On one hand, I鈥檓 diving deep into acupuncture theory, herbal formulas and clinic shifts. On the other, I鈥檓 choosing flower arrangements, chasing RSVPs, and figuring out how to keep everyone happy (including myself). Add in the general curveballs life tends to throw like family needs, bills, unexpected car issues and it’s a constant juggle.
In moments like these, I鈥檓 grateful for the grounding tools Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) gives us. Breathing, gua sha, warm teas, even a few moxa sticks at the end of the day these little rituals help me come back to center. I remind myself often: I鈥檓 not just learning this medicine, I鈥檓 living it. Time management has become its own kind of practice. Some days are more graceful than others, but I鈥檝e stopped chasing perfection and started honoring effort. Lists help, as does setting small goals, and learning to say 鈥渘o鈥� when I need to protect my energy. I鈥檓 also learning to appreciate the beauty in the chaos after all, the yang energy of summer is fast and fiery. It鈥檚 up to us to balance it with moments of quiet, reflection and rest.
Staying Connected
Even when it feels overwhelming, I come back to why I鈥檓 here: to help others, to grow and to stay connected to what鈥檚 real. And through it all clinic charts and color palettes alike,聽 I know I鈥檓 building something beautiful, both in medicine and in life.
Follow Carly鈥檚 Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine journey.
