Hello 2017

New year, New me? Right? Is that not how it goes? I have never been one to set New Year's resolutions, even if it is the fifth of January as I am sitting down writing this. Instead, the New Year always reminds me of all the things I have not completed in life. A reflection on all those moments I have passed up because I was too scared or did not have enough time. 

Now that I have officially entered adulthood, I truly want to take more advantage of the items I have in life. And that first starts with getting my mind healthy. Ever since I started night shift, I have noticed that I no longer have the energy to do stuff that I have found pleasure in doing prior. I also have zero motivation to accomplish chores, let alone take care of myself. 

When I initially was researching how to survive night shift as a nurse, I also came across a long thread of night shift depression. Like many other nurses have expressed, I was having trouble feeling rested, even after sleeping 20+ hours. Ultimately leaving you feeling like the walking dead. As I was reading long threads about night shift, I also saw that many nurses mentioned the issue of seasonal affective disorder. Now, I never went to talk with a doctor, for the mere fact I did not have time, but I did decide on my own that I needed to change this now before it created more of a problem.

Luckily, my managers at work were pretty understanding. I explained to them that on my off days I was having difficulty balancing my emotions: I would randomly start to cry over nothing or be really grumpy. I would spend my days off sleeping until 1600 and then another 8+ of sleep that night. My family also began to mention how pale I would always look. 

In less than a week of talking to my manager, I had an official change of switch date. Starting January 8th, I would be considered a full-time day nurse. I can not express how thankful I am for this. I am sad that I was not able to follow through with my commitment on nights. After all, I did apply to the night time shift opening instead of the day one. I really wanted nights to work for me because it is such a great learning environment.  Unfortunately, it was not great for my health. 

So here's to starting the New Year focusing on a healthier me!