I hold it together for patients all day and then have nothing left for myself at night. Learning slowly that resting is not laziness, it is refuelling. Sharing this mostly so tomorrow-me reads it and actually sleeps.

First job salary in a Kochi private hospital is not glamorous, let me be honest. But last month I sent money home AND kept a small amount for my abroad fund for the first time, and I felt like a whole CEO. Small wins count, no?

After a rough shift I put on a K-drama and pretend my life is that soft and slow. Currently rewatching a hospital one, which is insane because I literally live it, but somehow theirs has better lighting. Recommend me something with a happy ending please.

Studying for OET after a 12-hour shift is a special kind of madness. My brain reads the same paragraph four times and remembers nothing. If anyone else is prepping for abroad exams while working full-time, please tell me you also cry into your flashcards.

Nobody warns you about the first year

One year as a staff nurse and my feet have aged 40 years. Today a patient's family shouted at me for something the doctor decided, and I smiled and said sorry sir because that is the job. Then I cried for two minutes in the supply room and went back. We are fine, we are strong, we are also very tired.